Hsiao Says Taiwan Must Bolster Drone Defense To Deter China
By TaiwanPlus
Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao says strengthening Taiwan's drone defenses is essential to deterring a potential Chinese invasion. In an interview with Taiwan's Central News Agency, she warned that failing to bolster asymmetric defense could allow Beijing to misjudge Taiwan's resolve, drawing a comparison to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. A US$6.6 billion special drone budget remains stalled in the legislature. Hsiao also pointed to the business potential and civilian uses of drone technology.
VP Urges Support for Drones
REPORTER:
Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao says building up Taiwan’s drone defenses is vital to deterring a Chinese invasion.
Bi-khim Hsiao (TAIWAN VICE PRESIDENT):
It cannot be ruled out that when Putin decided
to use force to invade Ukraine
he may also have miscalculated.
In other words, he may have been overconfident
believing he could take Ukraine very quickly.
That's why he made that decision.
We must not allow Beijing
to misjudge Taiwan’s determination to defend itself.
Hsiao made the comments in an interview with Taiwan’s Central News Agency. It comes as a 6.6 billion US dollar special drone budget remains stalled in the legislature. Hsiao warned that if Taiwan fails to beef up its asymmetric defenses, Beijing could take that as a signal to invade. She also noted the business potential and non-military uses for drones.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim in an interview published Wednesday said building up Taiwan's drone defense was vital to deter a Chinese invasion driven by strategic misjudgment.
The vice president's remarks come as a 6.6 billion US dollar drone budget remains stalled in the legislature, with 14 cross-party proposals deferred for further deliberation. Despite criticisms, Hsiao emphasized that it is "better late than never" for Taiwan to start strengthening its drone defenses. She warned that Taiwan would face serious risks if its advanced asymmetric capabilities were weakened, potentially making the island appear an easy target for conquest.
