Taiwan has issued new guidelines outlining when and how its soldiers can engage drones, amid a rise in Chinese unmanned aircraft activity near the island.
The measure establishes a step-by-step procedure for troops, according to The Independent, citing sources from Taiwan’s defense ministry.
Soldiers must first identify and track any unidentified drone and report it to commanding officers while ensuring civilians are not at risk.
If the drone continues to approach, warning measures such as flares or sirens must be used to alert surrounding units and local law enforcement.
Once the area is confirmed safe, soldiers are authorized to engage the drone using either electronic jamming systems, referred to as “soft-kill” methods, or light weapons, referred to as “hard-kill” methods.
Boosting Air Defense
Taipei is intensifying its military readiness amid ongoing tensions with China, which claims the island as part of its territory and has repeatedly signaled the possibility of a future attack.
In response, Taiwan is accelerating the development of a comprehensive air defense network, as outlined by President Lai Ching‑te earlier this month, while also placing increased emphasis on drone operations.
In August, drone training was incorporated into a program across the island’s nine military academies, while the Ministry of National Defense announced a proposed special budget of up to $30 billion to expand missile and drone capabilities.
Planned acquisitions include attack drones and upgraded command platforms, sourced from both domestic and US suppliers, supporting Taiwan’s goal of deploying 48,750 drones and developing five new drone types by 2027.
