TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Apex Aviation is aiming for a frontline role in Taiwan’s civilian defense network by offering surveillance flights to monitor Chinese military activity, Reuters reported Monday.
The company uses a light aircraft fitted with a powerful US-made radar to track Chinese warships. Known mainly for charter services and pilot training, Apex now wants to supply real-time data to Taiwan’s security agencies.
Taipei has begun inviting private companies to support logistics, cyberdefense, and potentially intelligence work. The push reflects growing pressure on the military as Chinese aircraft and vessels appear around Taiwan almost daily.
Apex hopes to join that effort. Unlike firms that only deliver equipment, the company wants to operate its own reconnaissance missions while keeping the option of transferring hardware to the government. Apex Aviation Chair Wilson Kao Chien-yu (高健祐) said frequent Chinese drills have created urgency for civilian involvement.
The defense ministry remains cautious. It said Taiwan can already monitor Chinese activity but is open to public-private collaboration. The Coast Guard said it is expanding its reconnaissance capacity and will prioritize drones before adding manned aircraft.
Apex has invested more than NT$400 million (US$12.72 million) to convert an 11-seat Tecnam P2012 into a patrol plane equipped with synthetic-aperture radar. The system can detect objects as small as 0.09 square meters.
Experts say Taiwan must first establish a legal basis for civilian reconnaissance. They also warn that private aircraft could become vulnerable targets.
“Patrol aircraft involves the use of enforcement,” Institute for National Defence and Security Research researcher Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲) said. “Whether enforcement can be handed off to the private sector is a matter of legal debate.”
A recent Apex medical flight to Kinmen was approached repeatedly by Chinese military planes, highlighting the risks of grey-zone coercion.
Despite the dangers, Kao said the company will continue. “I'm just doing the right thing. I'm just steadily moving forward,” he commented.
