Taiwan’s Military Plans New Drone Units in Preparation for Potential China Invasion
TAIPEI—Taiwan will commission its first-ever army drone units this year and introduce sea drones to its naval forces, part of its efforts to modernize its arsenal with cutting-edge technology to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said in an interview.
Taiwan has signed a deal to acquire 160 Turkish-made Jackal drones, marking a significant enhancement to its unmanned aerial capabilities. The agreement was formalized during the Taipei Aerospace Defense Technology Exhibition in September 2023, with Taiwanese company GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology partnering with British firm Flyby Technology for the purchase, technology transfer, and production of these versatile platforms.
The Jackal is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone originally designed for civilian use but later upgraded with military capabilities, including compatibility with Thales’ Light Multi-Role Missile (LMM).
With a maximum payload capacity of 15 kilograms, operational range of 130 kilometers, and top speed of 160 kph, these drones can perform diverse missions including airstrikes, helicopter interception, tank targeting, and logistics delivery. While currently battery-powered, production versions will incorporate a turbogenerator, increasing maximum takeoff weight from 105 to 155 kilograms and enhancing overall capabilities.
China’s Jiu Tian (“high sky”) drone mothership represents a significant advancement in unmanned aerial warfare technology that could pose a serious threat to Taiwan’s defenses. Set for its first test flight by the end of June 2025, this massive UAV can carry and deploy up to 100 smaller drones simultaneously, including kamikaze UAVs and various missiles, creating overwhelming swarm attacks that could potentially saturate air defense systems.
The technical specifications of the Jiu Tian are formidable:
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16-tonne maximum takeoff weight with 6-tonne payload capacity
7,000km operational range with 12-36 hour flight endurance
15,000-meter flight ceiling, potentially above many air defense systems
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Modular design allowing rapid reconfiguration for various missions including military strikes, border defense, maritime surveillance, and emergency operations
Capability to launch coordinated drone swarms equipped with artificial intelligence that can operate in unison, sharing data and executing missions autonomously
Taiwan’s military has intensified its focus on First-Person View (FPV) drone warfare, establishing dedicated training facilities to master this critical technology. The Army Drone Training Center in Tainan, inaugurated in early 2025, provides comprehensive training in drone operations, development, and maintenance, with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Defense Minister Wellington Koo attending its launch to witness exercises involving reconnaissance and combat drones.
This initiative follows Taiwan’s observation of FPV drones’ effectiveness in Ukraine, where these low-cost systems proved devastatingly effective against armored vehicles.
The training program emphasizes practical combat scenarios, with soldiers learning to conduct reconnaissance missions and precision strikes using FPV drones.
Taiwan’s military has released footage showing explosive-equipped drones successfully targeting vehicles during exercises, highlighting their commitment to developing asymmetric warfare capabilities. Defense experts recommend Taiwan stockpile large numbers of these systems, particularly FPV kamikaze drones, which could provide cost-effective precision fires against potential PLA landing forces.
This focus on drone warfare represents a significant component of Taiwan’s broader strategy to counter China’s military advantage through innovative, asymmetric capabilities.
