Taiwan to set up air defense system against small UAVs

According to Taiwan News, the Taiwanese army will start working on a remote-control anti-drone system starting next year, and the project’s budget has already been approved by the central government. The new system will be deployed on outlying islands, military bases, missile launch sites.

The Institute for National Defense and Security Research’s (INDSR) Division of Chinese Politics, Military and Warfighting Concepts has warned that Chinese manufacturers dominate the global commercial market for small drones, CNA reported. Therefore, it is inevitable that, during a Chinese invasion, Taiwan’s army will face the threat of drones, namely suicide ones and most probably in swarms to saturate the air defense system. The INDSR said that Taiwan should take note of small-drone defense development in Western countries.

According to a government budget report, a remote-controlled drone defense system should be created to protect military bases, ports, and airports. Additionally, they should be deployed on outlying islands, barracks, high mountain platforms, and vital missile launch sites. The system will be able to carry out reconnaissance, efficiently sabotage enemy drone operations, and boost the nation’s defense capabilities and operations, the report said.

The project was initiated by the Air Force, and the three military branches have set a total budget of US$157.03 million for the system, according to CNA. In fact, the Army has already purchased five sets of the drone defense system and 232 jamming guns. The Navy only disclosed that it has bought 43 jamming guns, and the Air Force has said it will be setting up systems at 45 sites across Taiwan.