TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of National Defense will use observation drones and AI to counter Chinese ships intruding in restricted waters, reports said Friday.
Both Chinese coast guard and civilian ships have frequently entered Taiwan’s restricted waters, especially around outlying islands including Kinmen and Dongsha. Taiwan usually reacts by sending Coast Guard vessels to issue warnings before chasing them off.
The Ministry of National Defense outlined its plans in a report submitted to the Legislative Yuan, where the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee will question officials on the subject Monday, per CNA. The military said that currently, the Navy and Coast Guard share information about the presence of Chinese ships.
The Coast Guard Administration is usually the first to react, but if they ask for help, the Navy will provide assistance based on the time, location, and nature of the ships involved
In times of war, the military would use different types of drones to collect data about the presence of Chinese ships. In the future, AI will also help with the analysis of information to solve the difficulty of determining the nature of smaller vessels.
The technology will provide early warnings, analysis, and second opinions on approaching ships, reducing the potential for conflicting interpretations and improving the efficiency of Taiwan’s response, the military report said.
