Taiwan to establish east coast drone units

Taiwan’s military said on May 19 it will establish new drone units on the island’s east coast, adding unmanned capabilities in Hualien and Taitung as Chinese military pressure around Taiwan continued. The move was reported by Taiwan News, citing Liberty Times, and comes as Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense published surveillance images of Chinese aircraft and warships from a joint patrol near the island. (taiwannews.com.tw) China’s state news agency Xinhua said the carrier group led by the Liaoning left the same day for western Pacific training. (taipeitimes.com) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said this week that geography meant Manila would likely be involved in any conflict over Taiwan. (english.news.cn) ### Which units is Taiwan adding on the east coast? Taiwan’s Second Theater of Operations will establish two drone units in Taitung and Hualien, according to Taiwan News. The report said the Taitung Area Command will disband and reorganize its armored cavalry company into a drone squadron, while the Hualien Defense Command will also create a drone squadron. Hualien’s force structure will not be reduced across the board. Taiwan News said the Hualien Defense Command will retain its armored cavalry companies because of defense requirements tied to the Air Force’s Chiashan base, with military officials saying those units handle reconnaissance and security training in peacetime and rear-area security in wartime. (taiwannews.com.tw) ### What was happening around Taiwan as the plan emerged? Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said on May 19 that the People’s Liberation Army had been conducting a “joint combat readiness patrol” near Taiwan since 8:36 a.m. that day. The ministry said 22 Chinese aircraft, including J-10 and J-16 fighters and KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, and 13 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. (taiwannews.com.tw) The same ministry released surveillance images of one Chinese fighter jet and two naval vessels in what Focus Taiwan described as a rare public disclosure. (taiwannews.com.tw) Taiwan’s premier, Cho Jung-tai, said on May 19 that China was the greatest source of regional unease and instability because of its military activities in the Taiwan Strait, the Indo-Pacific, the South China Sea and waters near Japan. ### What did China say about the Liaoning deployment? Xinhua said on May 19 that a Chinese formation led by the Liaoning aircraft carrier departed for the western Pacific for training. The report said the exercises would include far-seas tactical flight, live firing, support and cover, and integrated search and rescue. (taipeitimes.com) The PLA Navy said the training was a routine annual arrangement consistent with international law and practice, according to Xinhua. Taiwan’s comments on regional instability were made the same day that deployment was announced. (focustaiwan.tw) ### Why does the east coast matter in Taiwan’s planning? Hualien and Taitung sit on Taiwan’s Pacific-facing side, away from the Taiwan Strait. The Hualien unit’s link to Chiashan base, a major air force facility in eastern Taiwan, shows the drone expansion is being folded into existing defense infrastructure rather than treated as a stand-alone project. (english.news.cn) Taiwan has been building a broader drone strategy. Taiwan News reported in November that the defense ministry had organized drone use into joint-operations, tactical and combat roles, while Taipei Times reported in April that a special defense program would dedicate NT$335 billion to drones and counter-drone measures. (english.news.cn) ### What are neighboring governments saying? President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines would likely be involved in any conflict over Taiwan because of proximity and the number of Filipinos in Taiwan, according to reports citing remarks to Japanese media. He said the Philippines did not want to be part of any conflict, but added that geography left Manila little choice about being affected. (taiwannews.com.tw) Japan is part of the immediate diplomatic calendar. Marcos is due to visit Japan next week, according to the Bangkok Post report, after making the Taiwan remarks on Monday, May 18. (taiwannews.com.tw) (bangkokpost.com)