Raymond Greene, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan, said at a drone forum in Taichung that Taiwan should rely on drones to deter potential Chinese attacks. “Nothing will prevent conflict more effectively than turning Taiwan into a hornet’s nest of air, ground, and underwater drones,” he said. The strategy could not only improve Taiwan’s security but also strengthen peace across the region.
Greene noted that the US is Taiwan’s most important international backer, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. He pointed to the war in Ukraine, where drones have significantly boosted defensive capabilities even against a superior force. He also raised the possibility of Taiwanese investment in the US drone industry.
Taiwan’s government has made drones and other asymmetric weapons a priority. To boost the drone industry, the government plans a special budget of up to NT$210 billion (about €5.8 billion) from August 2026 to December 2031. The draft includes various drone types, such as coastal surveillance drones and small unmanned kamikaze boats.
China’s ongoing threats against Taiwan have heightened fears of a potential war. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, even though the island has had an independent, democratically elected government for decades. China has threatened military action if peaceful unification fails.
Source: www.spiegel.de
