Gabriel Honrada
Taiwan’s plan to procure tens of thousands of domestically built drones signals a deliberate bid for asymmetric leverage vis-à-vis China. However, production delays and training deficiencies raise questions about the effectiveness of stockpiling more drones to shift the strategic balance across the Taiwan Strait.
This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense plans to acquire nearly 50,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) between 2026 and 2027, aiming to strengthen asymmetric capabilities amid increasing military pressure from Beijing.
According to a government tender notice, the Armaments Bureau will purchase drones across five categories, from short-endurance multi-rotor platforms to long-range fixed-wing systems with payloads between 2.5 and 10 kilograms, all manufactured domestically and excluding mainland Chinese parts.
The initiative aligns with Taiwan’s new doctrine to treat drones as expendable munitions, similar to recent US military practice. The announcement followed televised demonstrations of indigenous drone models, including first-person view (FPV) strike drones, bomb-dropping platforms, and reconnaissance systems with electro-optic/infrared sensors.
Analysts say the specifications match existing prototypes, indicating synchronized development and procurement. However, experts warn that Taiwan’s limited training infrastructure and logistical base may reduce operational effectiveness. A government audit revealed gaps in operator qualifications and night-flight readiness, and strategic scholars have called for tiered licensing and maintenance systems to support deployment.
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