Taiwan drone defences fall short against Beijing’s evolving technology, audit reveals

Taiwan’s push to build a modern counter-drone shield has come under renewed scrutiny after an official audit uncovered technical shortcomings and a key procurement programme collapsed following repeated testing failures.

The developments have fuelled concerns that Taipei’s efforts to match Beijing’s rapidly evolving drone technology are being undermined by capability gaps, procurement failures and delays in building an integrated counter-drone network.

According to a recent report by Taiwan’s Audit Office, the military’s NT$3.55 billion (US$111 million) fixed-site counter-drone programme has significant shortcomings, despite being designed to protect airbases and other key military facilities.

The audit found the system, developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) – Taiwan’s top weapons developer – could not detect or jam the 5.1GHz frequency used by newer People’s Liberation Army drone models.

It also found the programme was running six to 12 months late because of construction delays and shortages of key components, and warned that the shortcomings could undermine the protection of military bases.

“The system’s detection and countermeasure functions remain incomplete and implementation has fallen behind schedule,” the report said, urging the defence ministry to improve the programme.