Taiwan’s Tactical Shift Arms Drones For Combat

Taiwan is bolstering its defense by retrofitting its tactical reconnaissance drones with combat abilities, readying itself for potential cross-strait conflict. These modifications are a part of Taiwan’s continual efforts to showcase its defense determination in the face of Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The Taiwanese military has procured 50 tactical drones, costing NT$780 million (US$25.1 million), from the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, a government-funded institution. Of these, 32 have already been received; the remaining are slated for delivery later this year. Initially designed for reconnaissance and surveillance, these drones are now being adapted for combat.

“The institute is in the process of customizing the drones, with some of them being fitted with the laser target system and others with the ammunition system,” reported the Central News Agency.

Drone operators can…