Taiwan Military Shoots Civilian Drone, Releases Defensive Strategy

Japan's Defense Ministry released a map of Taiwan showing a "defensive defense and multi-layered deterrence". A new strategy that they say has been launched by Taiwan to "deter Chinese aggression from as far away as possible, through a multi-layered defense posture". Image Japan MOD | Public Domain, translated.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
September 02, 2022 08:00 pm UTC
Modified: September 02, 2022 08:00 pm

TAIWAN - The Taiwanese military have shot down an unidentified unmanned "civilian drone" near Kinmen, Taiwan on Thursday, September 1st. Japan's Ministry of Defense has also put out a statement, along with a map showing Taiwan's defensive strategy, meant to deter "Chinese aggression". The United States is also strengthening "alliance" with the Philippines.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has responded to the incident. TAO spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian stated that she's aware of reports on the incident and said that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is purposefully hyping up the incident in order to increase tensions, which she said was "absurd".

Zhu Fenglian said, "We have seen relevant reports," but said that the DPP authorities are attempting to hype the situation and create tension, and heighten the confrontation between the two sides.

Although the spokeswoman said that she was aware of the reports, she did not reveal any information on who might have been piloting the drone that was shot down.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin was asked about the incident. He responded that he was not aware of any reports in the news regarding to a drone being shot down by Taiwan's military over the Shiyu Islet.

The Taiwanese government however, has put out a report that a drone had been shot down Thursday afternoon, which they referred to as a "civilian drone".

On Sunday, the KDC had said that they would be heeding a four-step process when it comes to dealing with Chinese drone incursions, including "firing signal flares, reporting the intrusion, driving the drone out, and shooting it down".

Chinese Incursions In August And September

In the month of August, 845 Chinese military aircraft, and 186 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted around the island of Taiwan, with aircraft incursions occurring Every Single Day last month.

So far in September, incursions around Taiwan have occurred on both September 1st, and September 2nd, with September 1st seeing 53 Chinese aircraft, and 8 PLAN vessels, and September 2nd seeing 19 military aircraft, and 3 PLAN vessels.

Japan's Defense Ministry Reveals Taiwan Defensive Strategy

The statement said (translated from Japanese), "Taiwan has launched a defense strategy to deter Chinese aggression from as far away as possible through a multi-layered defense posture that combines major equipment such as fighter planes and naval vessels with asymmetrical forces, called “defensive defense and multi-layered deterrence.” We are strengthening the development of domestic weapons such as sea and air forces and long-range missiles. (White Paper p.71)".

U.S. Strengthens "Alliance" With Philippines

The Philippines, which sits just to the South of Taiwan have also recognized the importance of enhancing their security posture due to heightened tensions in the region, and have "reaffirmed the importance of the U.S. - Philippines alliance", according to a readout by the Department of Defense.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Call With Philippines Senior Undersecretary And Officer

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III call with Philippines Senior Undersecretary and Officer in charge of the Department of National Defense Jose Faustino, Jr. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder:

"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Philippines Senior Undersecretary and Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense Jose Faustino, Jr. on the phone today to discuss opportunities to further modernize and strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance. This was their first phone call since Senior Undersecretary Faustino assumed his current roles.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Philippines alliance, especially in light of changing regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Secretary Austin noted that the U.S. commitment to Philippine security is ironclad, and that U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty commitments extend to Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft in the South China Sea. Secretary Austin and Senior Undersecretary Faustino agreed to continue close operational coordination in the region.

Both leaders noted the importance of enhancing the posture of the alliance to address new and emerging challenges, including by deepening cooperation under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Secretary Austin also expressed his thanks for the Philippines’ support for the people of Ukraine.

The Secretaries closed the call by underscoring the importance of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific."