Taiwan draws on Ukraine's experience and builds drone fleets to deter China – NYT

Taiwan is closely studying Ukraine's experience of warfare and accelerating the deployment of fleets of aerial and naval drones to help repel a potential military invasion from China.

Source: The New York Times (NYT)

Details: The NYT said a strategy developed by US military commanders to defend the island has been dubbed Hellscape. It envisages overwhelming an invading force with waves of drones, missiles and artillery before it can launch an attack, making an amphibious assault too risky for Beijing.

Taiwanese officials are seeking to adopt Ukraine's "David-versus-Goliath" approach, which relies on relatively cheap and manoeuvrable drones to level the odds against a much larger adversary. Drawing on Ukraine's successful long-range strikes against Russian targets, Taiwan is considering using drones to attack Chinese vessels as they leave their ports.

Under the Taiwanese government's plans, the island aims to produce up to 100,000 drones a month by 2030, with around half intended for export. To implement this concept, Taiwan has already established a Littoral Combat Command, bringing together drones, mobile missiles and artillery into a single defensive shield.

"Drones are entering a new chapter. Taiwan, for its own survival and national defence, is in urgent need of these drones. But it's the same everywhere in the world right now – that's an opportunity for Taiwan," said Max Lo, chairman of Taiwan's National Drone Industry Association.

However, military analysts say that simply acquiring drones will not be enough for Taiwan. The country will need to overhaul its military organisation, doctrine and training system as well as learn how to operate drone swarms under conditions of active electronic warfare and jamming.

Political disputes over funding for the defence procurement programme are currently continuing in Taiwan's parliament. The government has proposed allocating US$6.5 billion over five years, but the opposition Kuomintang is blocking the plan and has put forward its own proposal worth US$7.4 billion over six years, with demands for a larger share of domestic production.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's drone exports are growing rapidly. During the first three months of 2026, Taiwan exported US$115 million worth of drones, exceeding the total value of its exports for the whole of 2025. Czechia is the main importer, although research indicates that many of these drones eventually make their way to Ukraine.

Background:

• China considers self-governing Taiwan to be part of its territory. Chinese leader Xi Jinping says he wants to bring the island under Beijing's control "peacefully", but has not ruled out the use of military force. Beijing is currently expanding its navy, air force and drone swarms, while also investing in counter-drone capabilities.
• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said that, because of the country's geographical proximity, the Philippines would inevitably be drawn into any potential military conflict over Taiwan.

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