Taiwan successfully tested the first home-made reconnaissance drone capable of flying for long periods, completing its efforts to increase the production of home-made drones and missiles, according to what was reported by the Eurasian Times website, which specializes in military affairs.
The website said that the Taiwanese Teng Yun 2 aircraft successfully conducted a 20-hour flight, proving itself as an advanced surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft with offensive capabilities.
The test comes at a time when Taiwan is facing unprecedented military pressure from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, since the visit of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island in August 2022, which prompted Beijing to conduct military exercises, the first of its kind around the island with live ammunition. .
During the maneuvers, the Chinese army launched missiles over the island’s airspace, and has repeatedly violated Taiwan’s air defense identification zone since then.
Although China has overwhelming superiority over Taiwan militarily, Taipei is also believed to have the ability to repel and slow any potential Chinese attack, at least until reinforcements from the US-led coalition arrive.
The early warning system, supported by strategic reconnaissance drones, may play a role in avoiding many surprises, including any naval movements or mobilization by the Chinese army.
A great achievement
Local reports in Taiwan stated that the Teng Yun 2 drone can fly at medium altitudes, as well as its ability to remain in the air for long periods, allowing it to monitor the Taiwan Strait for up to a full day per flight.
This aircraft was developed by the National Cheung Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan, and was designed to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions, in addition to its ability to perform offensive missions.
The Taiwanese Teng Yun 2 aircraft is very similar to its American counterpart, the MQ-1 Predator, and is believed to have a range of up to a thousand kilometers, and is capable of continuous flight for 20 to 24 hours, and at an altitude of up to 25 thousand feet.
According to the website, the plane is equipped with advanced electronic surveillance systems that distinguish it from the Teng Yun 1, and it can also carry an AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided hypersonic “air-to-surface” missile.
The plane can land and take off autonomously, and is supported by a networked control system and transmits live images in real time, but it is not yet clear whether the plane’s control system allows its operator to transfer the control process from a ground control station to another station located on board a warship. For example, what is certain is that the aircraft is equipped with all the basic capabilities to perform reconnaissance, intelligence, and offensive missions.
Currently, the Taiwanese army has obtained 4 prototypes of Teng Yun drones since 2016, including the latest version equipped with an American-made engine.
The importance of the plane
The military expert who spoke to the Taiwan Plus channel, Chen Kuming, said that the importance of Taiwan obtaining a drone with these capabilities lies in the fact that Taipei does not lack weapons, but rather lacks reconnaissance tools, and for this reason it needs drones to monitor the airspace and the surrounding maritime area. There for long periods, adding, “We need two large planes like these to carry out 24-hour patrols, one in the north and the other in the south.”
These patrols aim primarily to monitor the movement of Chinese warships, given that the naval forces of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will be the main arm of any potential attack on Taiwan, and regardless of the timing or tactics that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will adopt, it will certainly launch a surprise attack. With combined arms, in conjunction with moving a huge fleet across the Taiwan Strait.
As for the Chinese Air Force, it will carry out air dominance missions, and if necessary, it will strike ground targets and shoot down Taiwanese fighters as they take off. The main goal of the potential Chinese military operation will be to impose a complete naval and air blockade, and impose a fait accompli on Taiwan for formal reunification with the Chinese mainland. .
As such, Taiwan’s need to possess tools that enable it to perform long-term reconnaissance missions is increasing. Even assuming that the Chinese navy will not move suddenly to attack the island, and that the blockade will be merely an extension of the warship exercises surrounding the island, Taiwan will maintain a permanent presence in the airspace. The area would provide Taipei with vital situational awareness.
At least three to four Teng Yun 2 drones, networked with Taiwanese military naval, air and land assets, and possibly with US and Japanese assets, could provide vital situational awareness. However, how long these drones will remain in the sky remains to be seen. Doubtful, because it will be vulnerable to being targeted by the Chinese army, which will not have difficulty shooting it down.
2024-01-01 03:52:41
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