TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan should build up its fleet of Mobile Digital Communication Systems (MDCS) to replace its current stationary network which is vulnerable during a conflict, Wendell Lee (李怡德), general manager of communications equipment manufacturer Fiberlogic Communications, Inc., said on Monday (Nov. 4).

Lee said the government and military share 80% of the nationwide network, comprising immobile antennas, which are easy targets in enemy airstrikes, CNA reported. He recommended using the CS/VRC-518 MCDS developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) as a suitable alternative.

The MCDS can be outfitted on Humvees, giving them maximum mobility, Lee said. They are also nearly impervious to jamming.

NCSIST developed the second-generation MCDS two years ago, but production was put on hold after funding was redirected to drone development, the general manager said.

The defense ministry has allotted more than NT$10 billion (US$313.13 million) in its 2025 budget to procure drones, but nothing for the MCDS, even though they are more affordable, Lee said.

Taiwan recently gained 24-hour nationwide backup internet coverage after Chunghwa Telecom Co. signed a deal with UK company Eutelsat OneWeb. Such a network would be valuable in case of a Chinese attack.