Taiwan unveils portable attack drone as China tensions rise

Taiwan unveils portable attack drone as China tensions rise

Taiwan's locally made loitering munition drone is seen on display at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taichung
Taiwan's locally made loitering munition drone is seen on display at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taichung. Photo: Sam Yeh / AFP
Source: AFP

Taiwan unveiled its first portable attack drone on Tuesday, an unmanned aerial vehicle similar to a US model used in Ukraine's fight against Russia, as China steps up military pressure on the island.

Taiwan's 23.5 million people live under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims the self-ruled democracy as part of its territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing's sabre-rattling has intensified in recent years under President Xi Jinping, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has deepened fears in Taiwan that China might move similarly.

The military-run National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on Tuesday showed off its new loitering munition drone, which is similar to the US-made Switchblade 300 currently used by Ukrainian soldiers.

The Taiwanese-made single-use drone, designed to be small enough to be carried in a backpack, can stay in the air for 15 minutes, according to NCSIST.

Read also

Australia to buy US nuclear subs in ambitious new pact

"Because it is lightweight and portable, it is like a big grenade that can fly," said Chi Li-pin, head of NCSIST's Aeronautical Systems Research division.

PAY ATTENTION: Subscribe to Digital Talk newsletter to receive must-know business stories and succeed BIG!

"It is effective in attacking targets near our shores," he added, noting its maximum flying distance is 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

A staff member shows off a locally produced Albatross II UAV at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taichung on March 14, 2023
A staff member shows off a locally produced Albatross II UAV at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taichung on March 14, 2023. Photo: Sam Yeh / AFP
Source: AFP

Taiwan is also developing its next generation of "suicide" attack drones, Chi said, including larger versions that can be used in longer distance attacks.

Attack drones can hover in the air while carrying explosives before crashing into a target to eliminate it.

Tensions soared last year after Beijing launched major military exercises in response to a visit by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei, in what some experts saw as a rehearsal for an invasion of the island by China.

Allies have urged Taiwan to adopt an asymmetric "porcupine strategy" that would make it hard for China's larger military to invade, an argument that has been bolstered by the stout defence that Ukraine's much smaller forces have put up against Russia.

That strategy emphasises purchasing comparatively inexpensive and mobile weapon systems, and training civilians to fight.

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.