SU-30SM, SU-35S, and SU-34 flying in formation - Sputnik International, 1920
Military
Get the latest defense news from around the world: breaking stories, photos, videos, in-depth analysis and much more...

Taiwan to Speed Up Military Drone Production Amid Tensions With Beijing: Science Institute

CC BY-SA 2.0 / albertlecuistot / Taipei 101 at night from a moutain view (Taiwan)
Taipei 101 at night from a moutain view (Taiwan) - Sputnik International, 1920, 07.02.2023
Subscribe
BEIJING (Sputnik) - Taiwan will accelerate the development and production of military drones with the help of civilian companies amid increased tensions with mainland China, Chi Li-ping, expert at the island's state-owned Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, said on Tuesday.
"In response to the existing enemy threat and using the experience of drones developed and deployed during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, we will build up an asymmetric combat power consisting of drones ... The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense is accelerating development and production of drones of various types," Chi, who heads the institute's aviation systems research department, was quoted as saying by the ministry's Military News Agency.
The institute is working closely with the private sector to develop carrier-launched drones, land-based and aerial surveillance aircraft, miniature drones, and those with target-acquisition capabilities, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported. First prototypes are expected by August.
A J-20 stealth fighter of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) takes part in drills near Taiwan on August 3, 2022. - Sputnik International, 1920, 20.01.2023
Asia
China Sends 31 Aircraft, 4 Ships to Taiwan Strait: Taiwanese Defense Ministry
Chi said commercial drones would be adapted for military purposes to speed up the build-out of Taiwan's surveillance aircraft fleet, according to the Military News Agency. It takes about a year to reequip a civilian drone for military surveillance missions versus four to five years needed to make a military drone.
Tensions between China and the island it claims as its territory spiraled last year following a flurry of trips to Taiwan by US and European officials. China has criticized the visits as a show of support for Taiwanese separatism and has been conducting daily flybys over the waters off the island.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала