Taiwan should be a ‘horn’s nest’ for drones, US ambassador says | Material Issues

US Ambassador Raymond Greene says the drones represent a ‘game-changing opportunity’ to strengthen Taiwan’s security.

Taiwan needs a “wire nest” of evacuation planes to help prevent conflicts and provide security, says the US ambassador to the self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory.

Speaking at a conference on drones in the central city of Taichung, Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan and the US de facto ambassador, said Thursday that drones represent a “game-changing opportunity” to improve Taiwan’s security and promote regional peace.

The US, which is Taiwan’s biggest international supporter and arms supplier despite not having a formal relationship, has heavily supported the government’s military plan and increased defense spending.

Taiwan has said it needs to strengthen its defenses in the face of a growing threat from China.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes Washington’s continued, albeit unofficial, support for Taipei.

The United States and Taiwan could stand to develop “democratic” drones and strengthen anti-freedom movements, Greene said.

“Fortunately for Taiwan, drones have encouraged defenders, despite facing many challenges,” he added, referring to the war in Ukraine.

Nothing will prevent conflicts more than turning Taiwan into a hive of air, above and below ground.

While Taiwan’s government has prioritized drones and other military forces, in May, the opposition-controlled parliament only approved two-thirds of the $40bn in additional defense spending requested by President William Lai Ching-te, putting only US military funding aside.

The government has now proposed a new package of 210 billion Taiwan dollars (US$6.59bn) to pay for surveillance, coastal defense and small unmanned drones by the end of 2031.

However, in May, a US military official said that Washington is putting up a $14bn arms sale to Taiwan to maintain the US-Israeli and Iranian arsenal.

The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s main opposition party, this week issued its aviation policy with a budget of 240 billion Taiwan dollars (US$7.5bn) over six years and an annual budget of 40 billion Taiwan dollars (US$1.25bn).

His plan would fund drones from the general budget instead of the special budget, which is what the government wants.

On Wednesday, Lai called the need for drones pressing.

“In the face of the changing geopolitical situation and the evolution of modern warfare, building asymmetric military capabilities is a national defense project that is a race against time,” he said at the Democratic Progressive Party conference.

Mr Lai rejects claims of Beijing’s control, saying that only the people of the island can decide their future.