Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battalions to Be Established on Outlying Islands to Enhance Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities

Taipei, June 18 (CNA) To strengthen asymmetric warfare capabilities with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Army established three UAV battalions in the northern, central, and southern operational zones on Taiwan's main island in April. Sources familiar with the matter said today that an additional UAV battalion will be established on an outlying island soon. Scholars analyze that this move can achieve long-range reconnaissance and beyond-visual-range strike functions, significantly expanding defense and anti-landing capabilities.

UAVs have become an important part of the ROC Armed Forces' asymmetric warfare capabilities. The Army also established a UAV Training Center in January last year, which was upgraded and transformed into the Unmanned Systems Training Command, a supervisory-level unit, in April of the same year.

In addition, the Army completed the formation of three UAV battalions in April this year, corresponding to the mission characteristics and tactical applications of each region: the 3rd Operational Zone (Northern), the 5th Operational Zone (Central), and the 4th Operational Zone (Southern).

Sources familiar with the matter pointed out that the Army will establish a UAV battalion on an outlying island soon to continue strengthening asymmetric warfare capabilities. In addition to extending the early warning range, it can also provide close-in anti-blockade capabilities during wartime, jointly establishing a "kill chain" with anti-ship missiles.

During a legislative interpellation in May, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo mentioned that the nation must continue to procure UAVs in the future, otherwise it will face a situation of "authorized but not equipped." Besides the Altius-600, the Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance UAV, Maritime Attack UAV, and Altius-700 have not yet arrived. In this phase, the battalions will continue training with training UAVs.

Su Tzu-yun, a scholar at the think tank of the Ministry of National Defense, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, stated that the ROC Armed Forces establishing the Unmanned Systems Training Command is in sync with the US military's establishment of UAV schools, symbolizing the Army's ongoing reform of modern military affairs. Among these, the addition of a UAV battalion on an outlying island holds critical strategic significance.

Su Tzu-yun said that the UAV battalion on an outlying island can achieve long-range reconnaissance and beyond-visual-range strike functions, cooperating with existing garrisons on the main island and outlying islands to significantly expand defense and anti-landing capabilities. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150618)

Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is a force to protect the freedom of the press

Download CNA's "One-Stop News" APP for real-time updates

The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.