Drones unlikely to offer asymmetric edge over China: expert
An Australian security expert, Sam Roggeveen, stated that drones are unlikely to fundamentally alter the military balance across the Taiwan Strait, disputing the idea that they are inherently asymmetric weapons for smaller powers like Taiwan against China. Other experts agreed that Taiwan should focus on the operational value of uncrewed systems to solve specific problems rather than matching China's production scale.
Why it matters
This analysis challenges conventional wisdom about drone warfare, suggesting that technological advantage alone may not overcome geopolitical realities and scale, which has significant implications for Taiwan's defense strategy and regional stability.
Add TT as Preferred Source Drones are unlikely to fundamentally alter the military balance across the Taiwan Strait, despite their growing prominence in recent conflicts, an Australian security expert said today.
"I don't think drones are going to change the China-Taiwan military balance," said Sam Roggeveen, director of the International Security Program at Australia's Lowy Institute.
Photo courtesy of the Military News Agency
Speaking during a panel at the Taipei Security Dialogue, Roggeveen disputed the idea that drones are inherently asymmetric weapons through which a smaller power such as Taiwan can impose disproportionate costs on a larger adversary.
Both Taiwan and China can make use of drone technology, he said, adding that there is little reason to believe the Chinese People's Liberation Army would be significantly disadvantaged in a cross-strait drone arms race.
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