Despite great threat from China and large investments, Taiwan lags behind schedule for developing and deploying remotely controlled counter-drone system. It is unable to counter all drones, including those controlled via fiber-optic and guided using AI.
This is stated in Taiwan National Audit Office report for 2026 fiscal year, Taipei Times writes. Program encountered construction failures, component procurement problems and project tender delays.
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Counter-drone system development was ordered by Taiwan Air Force from National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). However, as of November 2025, planned capabilities and testing were not achieved.
Audit report notes that besides implementation delays, development is unable to detect and suppress UAVs controlled on 5.1 GHz frequency, which becomes more popular in Chinese forces, and certain Beidou 3 satellite navigation frequency bands. Also there are no means of countering fiber-optic drones or those equipped with AI guidance.
In response to these findings, NCSIST promised to conduct research and development to ensure drone detection on 5.1 GHz frequency. While Taiwan Air Force command added they will consider possibility of expanding program to work with additional frequencies.
According to auditor report, developed counter-drone system is capable of disrupting operation of drones relying on GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and partially Chinese Beidou 3. Emphasized is that insufficient attention to latter may be very dangerous.
Defense Express notes Beidou 3 is satellite navigation system that is full Chinese GPS analog, whose deployment was completed in 2020. Most likely PRC will rely specifically on it during war, so Taiwan concern in this direction is very understandable.
Otherwise, judging by available information, one can conclude Taiwanese counter-drone system primarily relies on EW and electronic reconnaissance assets. Although these are quite powerful instruments, they are insufficient for countering all UAV threats.
Potential possible solution may be adapting kinetic countermeasure assets, like automated turrets with guns and machine guns, mobile fire groups, SAM systems, directed energy weapons and so on. At same time all this should be united into system linking countermeasure assets with detection assets.
Currently Taiwan actively arms for countering possible China invasion. This involves both developing own unmanned technologies, including naval drones and various UAVs, and conventional weapons like Abrams tanks, M142 HIMARS MLRS and M109A7 SPHs.
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