Taiwan is teaching civilians drone skills learned from Ukraine's war

[midian182]

In a nutshell: No war has seen drones used quite like the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where the devices have been helping hold back invading Russian forces since 2022. Taiwan, which has been concerned about the prospect of Chinese invasion for years, is taking note.

Taiwan has seen an increase in volunteer-led civil defence groups in recent times as China becomes more aggressive and emboldened by Russia's actions.

The Guardian reports that a drone program was launched in Taiwan in May. Kuma Academy, the civil defense NGO that runs the training, says the course helps beginner pilots understand how drones are used on the battlefield. It forms part of a broader push to improve drone literacy among Taiwan's public.

Taiwan now has more than 39,000 registered drones and lowered the minimum age for drone registration to 14 in 2024.

Sessions at Kuma Academy's drone piloting course, where about 75 people can be trained each month, have sold out through August. Some schools are even holding summer camps to teach kids how to assemble drones and use them for search and rescue.

Tang Tsung-yi, a spokesperson at Kuma Academy, a spokesperson for Kuma Academy, said the goal is to enable people to "move from passive defense like sheltering to a more active role in observing risks and sharing information."

As commercial drones are susceptible to electronic jamming, the classes use Taiwanese-made drones that weigh less than 100 grams and have no GPS or self-driving systems – operators need to learn how to fly by sight and manual reflexes. Taiwan is also trying to cut China out of the supply chain for its unmanned aerial vehicles.

It was reported last year that Ukraine was looking to recruit gamers to pilot its drones, given the parallels between gaming and drone piloting. The country's Typhoon unit did warn, however, that this wasn't like Call of Duty, where you can restart if things go wrong.

Illustrating the sheer number of drones being used by both sides in Ukraine was a story last week about the discovery of a bird's nest made from drone fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic drones trail a physical cable behind them, giving operators a connection that cannot be jammed by traditional electronic warfare – and a material for birds to build their nests.

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Taiwan is teaching civilians drone skills learned from Ukraine's war

 

[Megalomaniac]

I absolutely do not believe anything America's government says about China. China is not interested in chaos like the current criminal-in-chief-Trump is. China is interested in making money calmly.

The Art of fighting without fighting.

I think America ginned up the China threat in the same manner it did Iran to justify military spending and foreign military adventurism. China meanwhile has been calm, cool and collected because they already know they're winning long-term.

 

[JMGuy]

I absolutely do not believe anything America's government says about China. China is not interested in chaos like the current criminal-in-chief-Trump is. China is interested in making money calmly.

The Art of fighting without fighting.

I think America ginned up the China threat in the same manner it did Iran to justify military spending and foreign military adventurism. China meanwhile has been calm, cool and collected because they already know they're winning long-term.

The idea that China is just a calm actor focused on making money completely ignores reality. You don’t have to believe the U.S. government, it is global documented fact that this assertion is simply not true.

From intentionally ramming Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, constantly threatening Taiwan, clashing with India on the border, to launching state-sponsored cyberattacks against Western infrastructure.

That isn't "the art of fighting without fighting"—it is active, aggressive power projection that drives global instability.

 

[Kirby1]

I absolutely do not believe anything America's government says about China. China is not interested in chaos like the current criminal-in-chief-Trump is. China is interested in making money calmly.

The Art of fighting without fighting.

I think America ginned up the China threat in the same manner it did Iran to justify military spending and foreign military adventurism. China meanwhile has been calm, cool and collected because they already know they're winning long-term.

So what about those times China surrounded Taiwan with military drills? Just calm playing? Did America make those events up?

Did Japan start rebuilding it's military because of US propaganda?


Chinese war strategy is always to do as much damage as possible without any actual engagement. From the Chinese Art of War: "Start a fire across a river".

China's issue with Taiwan is that they didn't follow their own doctrine, and the entire Asian theater now openly sees China as a serious threat, and because of that China has backed themselves into a corner.


On the flip side, no amount of military spending from the US would be enough to counter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. It's like 70 miles off their coast, other side of the world for us. The only viable strategy is military alliances in the region.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I absolutely do not believe anything America's government says about China. China is not interested in chaos like the current criminal-in-chief-Trump is. China is interested in making money calmly.

The Art of fighting without fighting.

I think America ginned up the China threat in the same manner it did Iran to justify military spending and foreign military adventurism. China meanwhile has been calm, cool and collected because they already know they're winning long-term.

Imagine defying American propaganda only to deepthroat Chinese propaganda....LMFAO.

 

[RudyBob]

I don't think there is a looming China threat to Taiwan. China while crooked is not dumb. Russia could not defeat Ukraine and they are next door. Can China armada 100 miles with the weaponry Taiwan has, supplied by the USA? The weapons that failed to stop the USA in Venezuela and Iran are from China and Russia. They proved to be no obstacle to the USA. It may be something they try down the road when another weakling is in the Oval office but nothing will happen under Trump, Vance, Rubio and Hegseth

 

[pnntmp]

Good for Taiwan. China can't really invade them successfully.
Putin's fukcup in Ukraine says something. The entire usable army of Russia is stuck in Ukraine for years, with millions of Russians dead or maimed, and the entire cognitive elite of Russia out of the country. Russia will never recover from this. Note that Russia and Ukraine have a 1000+ miles land border.

It would be a orders of magnitude harder for China to invade Taiwan over the sea. Invading a US-backed Taiwan is practically impossible, and they know it. It's a lot easier for China to soft-grab a sizable chunk of Russia, and that seems to be their real goal. China is gently nudging Russia towards failure, and they'll have it soon. Russia is the low hanging fruit for China. Taiwan would be 'prestigious' for the CCP, but the risk of failure is colossal.

 

[Endymio]

I absolutely do not believe anything America's government says about China. China is not interested in chaos like the current criminal-in-chief-Trump is ... I think America ginned up the China threat

China has openly and proudly threatened military attack on Taiwan should it ever formally declare true independence. China has also terrorized most major world organizations and private businesses into refusing to label Taiwan properly -- which is why you can't buy a flight to Taiwan, nor see them in the Olympics ... it is "Chinese Taipei" instead.

China also built a full mockup of Taipei City, to practice invasions on, as well as building, arming, and emplacing more than 2,000+ ballistic missiles aimed directly at that tiny island. They also have repeatedly practiced a full naval military blockade of Taiwan, designed to cut off the island from all foreign aid or assistance. I won't even mention the near-daily fighter jet incursions into Taiwanese airspace, or other provocations.

You think they're doing all these "for defense purposes", to prevent Taiwan from invading them? Seriously, educate yourself.

Chinese general threatens attack on Taiwan to stop independence

Although China has never renounced the use of force, it is rare for a top, serving military officer to so explicitly make the threat in a public setting.

www.smh.com.au

 

[toooooot]

I think the biggest threat to Taiwan is how many drones their #1 enemy can can make per day.
I recall Russia can make something like 500 drones daily. Now imagine how many more China can make.
Those do not need to be the most advanced drones, and I am not saying they will be a lot worse than Ukrainian. Taiwan will deplete every last anti drone ammo within days.
And that makes me really curious regarding a possible conflict involving China.
We made them a world factory, a communist regime that despises our values and kills innocent people
in prisons as we speak.
How will the war go? Do they have ability to win merely through their immense fabrication capacity?

 

[toooooot]

Good for Taiwan. China can't really invade them successfully.
Putin's fukcup in Ukraine says something. The entire usable army of Russia is stuck in Ukraine for years, with millions of Russians dead or maimed, and the entire cognitive elite of Russia out of the country. Russia will never recover from this. Note that Russia and Ukraine have a 1000+ miles land border.

It would be a orders of magnitude harder for China to invade Taiwan over the sea. Invading a US-backed Taiwan is practically impossible, and they know it. It's a lot easier for China to soft-grab a sizable chunk of Russia, and that seems to be their real goal. China is gently nudging Russia towards failure, and they'll have it soon. Russia is the low hanging fruit for China. Taiwan would be 'prestigious' for the CCP, but the risk of failure is colossal.

Taiwan is smaller than Ukraine, many times smaller. China is many times stronger than Russia.
These two do not compare to Russia and Ukraine. The only advantage real China has is water between it and mainland regime. Although, given current technologies, I do not believe that this is such a big defensive advantage as it was during the last big war.

 

[Endymio]

I think the biggest threat to Taiwan is how many drones their #1 enemy can can make per day.

The bigger threat to Taiwan are China's SRBMs and MRBMs. Even before the war, Ukraine had the best air defense system in all Europe: Taiwan has nothing approaching that. And China has already adopted a plan to press 2,000+ civilian cargo ships into service to mount an overwhelming amphibious assault on the island.

 

[Kirby1]

Taiwan is smaller than Ukraine, many times smaller. China is many times stronger than Russia.
These two do not compare to Russia and Ukraine. The only advantage real China has is water between it and mainland regime. Although, given current technologies, I do not believe that this is such a big defensive advantage as it was during the last big war.

Taiwan may be small, but it is literally the worlds best manufacturer for advanced chips, which drones use. In a war of attrition vs China, Taiwan could definitely hold it's own.

And I don't think China wants to open it's factories up to drone attacks.

 

[Endymio]

Taiwan may be small, but it is literally the worlds best manufacturer for advanced chips, which drones use. In a war of attrition vs China, Taiwan could definitely hold it's own.

This is so ludicrously incorrect I don't even know where to start. If China decides to invade, Taiwan goes under in 72 hours ... unless the US intervenes. Which is why China has been building a navy capable of blocking that.

 

[abactuon]

They don't need to troll the Chinese Empire. Bad strategy.

 

[RaXelliX]

Taiwan is smaller than Ukraine, many times smaller. China is many times stronger than Russia.
These two do not compare to Russia and Ukraine. The only advantage real China has is water between it and mainland regime. Although, given current technologies, I do not believe that this is such a big defensive advantage as it was during the last big war.

Size is irrelevant. US couldn't defeat Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan in any meaningful way.

China appears stronger on paper, but remember - so did russia before the war. Propaganda can cause the perception of strength, but it never survives a real war where all the problems become apparent.

Water is still a massive obstacle. Even back in 2022 when russia was still near it's full power, water crossings were difficult for them. Not to mention logistics that would be a serious issue for china even if they did manage to land soldiers in Taiwan.

Ukraine has also shown that drone boats can seriously damage a conventional navy that china possesses. At best china will be only to saturate Taiwan's air defenses and kill civilians. Like russia is doing in Ukraine now. But mass bombing civilians has never won wars.

 

[Endymio]

Size is irrelevant. US couldn't defeat Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan in any meaningful way.

Oops! The US quickly and easily defeated Iraq; we didn't wish to put one single boot on the ground in Iran, and Afghanistan is a warren of mountainous tunnels: deeply separated from the US geographically, culturally, ethnically, and most of all religiously.

China appears stronger on paper, but remember - so did russia before the war.

Bad comparison. China's military is twice the size of Russia's, whereas Taiwan's is less than half the size of Ukraine's pre-war army. But much more importantly, Russia would have easily defeated Ukraine, were it not for the unprecedented military aid it received -- and continues to receive -- from the West.

Water is still a massive obstacle

That water is as much as obstacle for Taiwan as it is China: a naval blockade of the island will quickly starve them of crucial military assets. As for a direct amphibious assault, China has by far the world's largest fleet of container and cargo ships, and has already adopted a plan to use them to quickly transport a half-million troops ashore.

Ukraine has also shown that drone boats can seriously damage a conventional navy

Ukraine had to first survive a couple years before it ramped up drone production to that point. And how will Taiwan receive the raw materials for drone production, with the Chinese navy blocking all imports?

 

[Hei panda]

The idea that China is just a calm actor focused on making money completely ignores reality. You don’t have to believe the U.S. government, it is global documented fact that this assertion is simply not true.

From intentionally ramming Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, constantly threatening Taiwan, clashing with India on the border, to launching state-sponsored cyberattacks against Western infrastructure.

That isn't "the art of fighting without fighting"—it is active, aggressive power projection that drives global instability.

"...active, aggressive power projection that drives global instability." You're describing us, right!? Our government along with another country that is currently committing genocide started a war with Iran which has led to global instability.

 

[Hei panda]

So what about those times China surrounded Taiwan with military drills? Just calm playing? Did America make those events up?

Did Japan start rebuilding it's military because of US propaganda?


Chinese war strategy is always to do as much damage as possible without any actual engagement. From the Chinese Art of War: "Start a fire across a river".

China's issue with Taiwan is that they didn't follow their own doctrine, and the entire Asian theater now openly sees China as a serious threat, and because of that China has backed themselves into a corner.


On the flip side, no amount of military spending from the US would be enough to counter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. It's like 70 miles off their coast, other side of the world for us. The only viable strategy is military alliances in the region.

How many Chinese military bases surround the United States? NOW, how many US military bases surround China.... AND how many military drills occur between the US and its allies around China.

 

[Hei panda]

Good for Taiwan. China can't really invade them successfully.
Putin's fukcup in Ukraine says something. The entire usable army of Russia is stuck in Ukraine for years, with millions of Russians dead or maimed, and the entire cognitive elite of Russia out of the country. Russia will never recover from this. Note that Russia and Ukraine have a 1000+ miles land border.

It would be a orders of magnitude harder for China to invade Taiwan over the sea. Invading a US-backed Taiwan is practically impossible, and they know it. It's a lot easier for China to soft-grab a sizable chunk of Russia, and that seems to be their real goal. China is gently nudging Russia towards failure, and they'll have it soon. Russia is the low hanging fruit for China. Taiwan would be 'prestigious' for the CCP, but the risk of failure is colossal.

So blood thirsty.

 

[Hei panda]

China has openly and proudly threatened military attack on Taiwan should it ever formally declare true independence. China has also terrorized most major world organizations and private businesses into refusing to label Taiwan properly -- which is why you can't buy a flight to Taiwan, nor see them in the Olympics ... it is "Chinese Taipei" instead.

China also built a full mockup of Taipei City, to practice invasions on, as well as building, arming, and emplacing more than 2,000+ ballistic missiles aimed directly at that tiny island. They also have repeatedly practiced a full naval military blockade of Taiwan, designed to cut off the island from all foreign aid or assistance. I won't even mention the near-daily fighter jet incursions into Taiwanese airspace, or other provocations.

You think they're doing all these "for defense purposes", to prevent Taiwan from invading them? Seriously, educate yourself.

Chinese general threatens attack on Taiwan to stop independence

Although China has never renounced the use of force, it is rare for a top, serving military officer to so explicitly make the threat in a public setting.

www.smh.com.au

Wait, so all the U.S. military bases surrounding China are meant to protect Taiwan... and not meant to contain and terrorize China? WOW! That's crazy! Never believed the US military would do anything bad at ALL.

 

[Kirby1]

Wait, so all the U.S. military bases surrounding China are meant to protect Taiwan... and not meant to contain and terrorize China? WOW! That's crazy! Never believed the US military would do anything bad at ALL.

Hey look, a Chinese bot.

Block this account.

 

[Hei panda]

Hey look, a Chinese bot.

Block this account.

We know who you voted for and what you're protecting.

 

[Endymio]

Wait, so all the U.S. military bases surrounding China are meant to protect Taiwan... and not meant to contain and terrorize China? WOW! That's crazy! Never believed the US military would do anything bad at ALL.

The US doesn't keep 3 million of its own citizens in slave-labor genocide camps. China does. The US doesn't employ an army of 2 million people to control what people can see or say on the Internet. China does. The US doesn't crush kids with army tanks when they protest the government. China does. Since 1950, China has used force or the threat of force to expand its borders eleven separate times, including annexing the entire nation of Tibet. The US has not annexed land by force since the 1800s. Sell your CCP propaganda elsewhere.

 

[Kirby1]

We know who you voted for and what you're protecting.

What am I protecting? Who is we?

 

[mjuice7]

I don't think there is a looming China threat to Taiwan. China while crooked is not dumb. Russia could not defeat Ukraine and they are next door. Can China armada 100 miles with the weaponry Taiwan has, supplied by the USA? The weapons that failed to stop the USA in Venezuela and Iran are from China and Russia. They proved to be no obstacle to the USA. It may be something they try down the road when another weakling is in the Oval office but nothing will happen under Trump, Vance, Rubio and Hegseth

can you give us an update on the iran war? is it over yet? is the strait of hormuz open? has the usa kicked butt? or has the usa been humiliated worldwide, using the same superior usa weaponry you extol, by a country with no army, air force or navy? in the meantime there is a window that needs licking.