Taiwan: Preventing Chinese drones from landing (2024)

Taiwan: Preventing Chinese drones from landing

– Neutralizing drones that invade within a 5km radius

– Neutralizing a Chinese drone on Kinmen Island

Summary from an article published by NHK.

Taiwan’s defense strategy:

Taiwan is now accelerating the development of mobility equipment and cutting-edge defense flashovers.

It dives into the sea like a torpedo and strikes the “enemy” offshore.

Underwater drone development is underway.

NHK’s International Department interviewed the front line of Taiwan’s defense strategy.

Underwater drone under development:

A company in central Taiwan is developing a torpedo-shaped underwater drone.

1. Intercepting underwater targets with a “torpedo-shaped” drone

2. A UAV that moves silently underwater like a fish

Equipped with a high-performance underwater camera:

A company established in 1979 has been developing a highly maneuverable UAV for the past 10 years.

1. It can be used for reconnaissance, and if bombs are loaded onto it, it can also be used for interception.

2. Recently, they have also been developing unmanned boats capable of surface attacks.

Taiwanese military interested in drones:

The Taiwanese military is interested in drones and is reportedly considering purchasing one.

Both the public and private sectors are working hard to develop drone technology and strengthen their defense capabilities.

Su Shengjie, General Manager of Leihu Technology:

With 45 years of manufacturing experience, they manufacture small, medium and large drones for commercial use.

Although they are primarily commercial, they will develop drones for military use at the request of the Taiwanese authorities.

China’s defense spending is 10 times that of Taiwan:

Taiwan is rushing to develop drones. The background to this is a sense of crisis about China’s military power.

1. China’s defense spending, even just the published amount, is 7.2% higher than last year.

2. It is over 34 trillion yen in Japanese yen, more than 10 times that of Taiwan.

China’s latest aircraft carrier “Fujian”:

The Chinese Navy’s ships have already surpassed those of the US Navy.

In May, the third aircraft carrier “Fujian” made a test voyage.

1. “Fujian” is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult to accelerate the aircraft on board.

2. It will be possible to operate a wider variety of aircraft than conventional aircraft carriers.

Chinese military conducts military exercises in late May:

The Chinese military has almost surrounded Taiwan and conducted military exercises around the remote island of Kinmen.

This was three days after Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as the new president.

Intercepting Chinese drones:

‘How do we intercept Chinese drones?’ is the issue in Taiwan.

Measures are being taken to “neutralize Chinese drones” on the front line in Kinmen.

Drone approaching Kinmen Island:

A drone approaching the area around Kinmen Island captured the Taiwanese military.

1. The video was shared on Chinese social media.

2. The Taiwanese military is also rushing to introduce equipment to disrupt drone flights.

Future Technology: Wang Yu-kuo, CEO

Wang Yu-kuo is the CEO of a venture in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan.

They have developed a radar device that can pinpoint the location of drones.

1. Two sets of drone defense systems have been deployed on Kinmen Island.

2. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense plans to expand the scale to 26 sets.

Radar that can pinpoint the location of drones:

This radar is combined with equipment that emits jamming radio waves.

It neutralizes swarms of small drones that invade within a 5km radius.

Visualization of drone location, speed, and altitude:

The global trend is to use swarms of drones controlled by AI.

1. Universities are training “drone personnel” and developing hardware.

2. Training young personnel to operate drones has also begun.

Taipei University of Marine Science and Technology:

Taipei University of Marine Science and Technology, where students study marine navigation technology.

In the fall of 2023, practical drone operation will be included in the defense compulsory subjects.

Actual drone operation:

Students have actually started operating drones.

They used small drones manufactured in Taiwan for training.

The use of Chinese-made drones is prohibited.

Taipei University of Marine Science and Technology: Professor Lin Wei-chih

Ukraine’s experience has given Taiwan important suggestions.

Replace Ukraine with Taiwan and a sense of crisis has emerged.

It is important that Ukraine can counter Russia with UAVs.

Taiwan think tank Institute for National Defense and Security: Su Ziyun

Taiwan will effectively fight against the Chinese military with highly maneuverable equipment.

It is a strategy to face them in “asymmetric warfare”.

Even with a small budget, UAVs can be mass-produced at low cost.

It will deter China’s numerical strength.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240604/k10014470881000.html