By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, A reporter
TAIWAN sees a “huge opportunity” to work with the Philippines in developing drone technology, Taiwan’s foreign affairs chief said, laying out its military and civil appeal as the two countries grapple with regional tensions.
It is possible that Taipei could explore the cooperation of the drone industry with Manila, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs Yu-Ping Lien, without sharing more details.
“There is a huge opportunity for both sides to cooperate … in the drone industry not only for security reasons, but also for commercial use,” he said. BusinessWorld in a discussion on the sidelines of the port development forum in early December.
Taiwan wants to build deeper ties with the Philippines amid growing tensions with China, as Taipei pushes for an economic corridor with Manila focused on port development and industrial cooperation related to regional security.
Ms. Lien said Taiwan may choose to hold drone tests in the Philippines because of strict regulations and the lack of a testing facility at home, saying it is the first step for industry cooperation.
“Because we are facing the laws and the threat of the Chinese, we do not have enough space to run the tests,” he said. “Maybe we can get more space, even land or airspace for drone testing.”
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory, has not ruled out taking the island by force, putting its 23 million people and the world’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry at risk. China’s military has been conducting exercises around the self-governing island, putting Taiwan’s armed forces on fire.
Taipei has turned increasingly to sea drones to bolster its defenses, Reuters reported in June, as it works to revamp its “irregular warfare” capabilities with portable, small, and cheap weapons designed to deliver strikes.
Manila has followed suit, as it seeks to increase the use of unsanctioned systems and drones in its military, a Defense Department official said in October, as tensions with China continue in the South China Sea.
Remotely piloted drones have become the backbone of modern warfare due to their long range and low cost compared to other advanced weapons, such as missiles and fighter jets. Drones have also seen major military use since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“Drone diplomacy” between Manila and Taipei is a matter of drone ecosystem coexistence as part of the First Island Chain,” said Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, referring to the chain of nations that stretches from Japan in the north through Taiwan and the Philippines to Indonesia in the south.
The Philippines should pursue a drone manufacturing partnership with Taiwan to ease supply chain risks in developing unmanned systems, said Raymond M. Powell, director of maritime transparency group SeaLight.
“A lot of what’s affordable right now comes from China… Taiwan offers another safe, friendly source for these important parts,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
Mr. Cabalza said that building a “cohesive, non-red tape” drone production network would strengthen the ability of both countries to protect their territories from attack.
The Philippines disagrees with China as it claims almost the entire South China Sea based on the “nine-dash line” map, a claim that was rejected by a United Nations-backed court in 2016.
“Drones improve deterrence by creating an equally costly trap for a potential attacker,” Mr. Powell, noting that an abundance of “cheap, affordable weapons” could threaten adversaries’ expensive weapons systems and force them to think twice before taking aggressive action.
Drones also serve as a force multiplier for the Philippines, which still lacks warships capable of effectively patrolling the waters between China’s long-standing presence, Mr. Cabalza.
The Philippines has unveiled a sweeping $35-billion (P2-trillion) plan aimed at bolstering its military assets over the next decade, including the acquisition of advanced naval vessels, aircraft and missile systems, as it pushes back against China’s military might in the region.
