Military

Reservists Undergo Drone Training Exercise

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By John Su/Ryan Wu/Lery Hiciano

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President Lai Ching-te visited reservists in Yilan to observe their training exercises, with an emphasis on drone operations. This comes just days after Lai announced his US$40 billion special defense budget, with the government saying it would procure nearly 50,000 drones over the next two years.

Taiwan Strengthens Drone Training for Reservists

 

REPORTER:  

President Lai Ching-te is visiting reservist units here on Taiwan’s east coast as they carry out drone training exercises. Part of the military’s expansion in this field. Lai recently announced a $40 billion USD special defense budget, and Taiwan has rolled out major drone procurement plans, boosted benefits for specialist units and is now training reservists to operate drone systems.

 

Lai Ching-te (TAIWAN PRESIDENT):  

We are incorporating drone operation and applications into reservist training. This change marks a new milestone in reserve-force training.

 

REPORTER:  

All of this is part of a broader push to strengthen the country’s defenses in the face of growing threats from China, which claims Taiwan and has not ruled out taking it by force.

 

The president says the country plans to be ready to respond to a potential invasion by 2027, even as Taiwan faces daily “grey zone” threats in the air, at sea and online.

 

REPORTER:  

But the defense ministry is betting on drones to help with reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and long-distance weaponry.

 

The defense ministry is set to acquire nearly 49,000 domestically made drones over the next two years: 34,000 first-person-view drones, along with around 5,000 bombers and medium-and-small-range loitering munitions, as well as more than 700 coastal surveillance drones.

 

All drones would be 100% free of Chinese components.

 

REPORTER:  

Meanwhile, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao told Natalie Winters in a sitdown interview for the War Room, that Taiwan hopes to further collaborations with the US on drone development.

 

Much of the world’s drone supply chain currently depends on China, leading countries to seek alternative sources. Taiwan has already signed agreements with several European nations to provide drones that are 100% free of Chinese supply chains, and the country is also planning an industrial park in Chiayi to manufacture drones.

 

REPORTER:  

Although less glamorous than big-ticket displays of air power and naval combat drills, these training exercises are crucial to Taiwan’s overall defense strategy.

 

The president says the goal is to make sure reservists are regularly training with new equipment, so if a conflict were to break out, Taiwan is fully prepared for whatever comes its way.

 

John Su and Lery Hiciano in Yilan, Taiwan for TaiwanPlus.