Taiwan has deployed drone battalions across three operational combat zones as part of its broader push to expand unmanned warfare capabilities.
Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Chen Chien-yi disclosed the development during a legislative session attended by high-ranking Taiwanese defense officials. While the locations of the combat zones were not revealed, Chen said the battalions were finalized in April.
During the same session, lawmakers discussed plans to expand the role of a drone training center into a larger command organization overseeing broader unmanned systems training and integration.
Legislator Chen Chun-yu said the command structure should establish unified testing and operational standards for drones across Taiwan’s military branches.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo also stressed the need to accelerate drone procurement to ensure military units are adequately equipped as Taiwan expands its unmanned capabilities.
The three new battalions are currently using training drones while awaiting delivery of the US-made Altius-600 and Altius-700 systems.
Restructuring Infantry for Drone Ops
The development follows earlier reports that the Republic of China Army has been reorganizing units on Taiwan’s east coast to support drone operations.
Taiwan’s Taitung Area Command is expected to transfer tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and reconnaissance assets into a new combined arms battalion to make room for a drone squadron.
Meanwhile, the Hualien Defense Command plans to deploy a drone squadron alongside its armored units to help meet operational requirements around the air force’s Chiashan base.
According to state-owned Liberty Times, the armored units will primarily handle security and routine training duties, while the drone squadrons focus on coastal surveillance and monitoring approaching enemy naval forces.
