Taiwan’s Drone Takeover Plan Sparks Big Security Debate

Taiwan is moving fast to build new systems that can stop small commercial drones from flying near airports, power plants, and other key sites, as SCMP reports. Part of the plan includes takeover technology. This tech can jam a drone, spoof its signals, and even hack it so operators can land it safely.

At a recent briefing, the homeland security office shared requirements for this new network. The specs came from NCSIST, Taiwan’s top weapons developer. The slides said the system must decode OcuSync versions 2, 3, 4, and 4 plus. That is DJI’s transmission system.

DJI controls most of the global drone market. Taiwan is no exception. That is why the requirement raised concerns. Some wondered if the government was focusing too much on a single brand. Others questioned if cracking DJI’s encrypted links was even possible.

Later reports claimed the DJI requirement may be removed. Officials said the civilian protection plan is separate from military procurement. Taiwan’s military has its own project and also plans to use takeover tech along with jamming and hard kill systems. The ministry recently announced plans to buy more than six hundred counter drone systems. They must all work in all weather, jam at two kilometers, and be mountable on ground vehicles and ships.

Concerns Over Privacy and Battlefield Reality

Lawmaker Ma Wen chun said takeover tech creates major questions. Privacy. Property rights. Freedom of communication. She said clear laws must explain when and how the government can take control of a drone. She also said civilian flying and photography should not be targeted without strict rules.

She also pushed back on the emphasis on DJI. She warned that in a real conflict Taiwan will face custom FPV drones, homemade drones, and modified aircraft built to avoid known protocols. Not just commercial drones shown in government briefings. Obviously she doesn’t know that in the Russia and Ukraine war most of the aerial videos we see are recorded with DJI equipment.

Taiwan’s defense vice minister said many issues still require coordination across agencies. He also stressed that takeover use must be handled with caution: a new law on drone incursions is in the works. NCSIST said the November briefing was meant to help operators understand early requirements. Even then, nothing is final until the cabinet approves it.

Experts also noted technical limits. William Wu of the Taiwan Drone Association said the focus on DJI is understandable because the company dominates the market. But he warned that takeover only works if the target drone uses weak or unencrypted links. Many drones simply auto hover, auto land, or return home when jammed. That limits what takeover tech can do.

A Taipei newspaper argued that takeover is slow and manpower heavy. Each operator can only handle one drone. In wartime, swarms, low flying routes, and explosive payloads would still require hard kill options. The commentary also warned that taking control of an armed drone and guiding it into a friendly site could be like letting a wolf walk right into the house.

Taiwan’s Massive Drone Build Up

This debate comes as Taiwan prepares for its largest drone purchase ever. The military plans to buy almost fifty thousand drones in the next two years. The goal is to boost asymmetric defense and spread capability across the island.

The tender includes five drone types: FPV drones, bomb dropping multirotors, medium range loitering munitions, small loitering munitions and littoral reconnaissance drones. All must be built or assembled in Taiwan. No Chinese components allowed. Any company with capital from mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau is banned from bidding.

Taiwan sees drones as essential for future defense and Beijing claims the island as its own. The United States does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, but it does oppose any attempt to seize the island by force. US law also requires Washington to provide defensive support.

DroneXL’s Take

Drone takeover tech sounds powerful, but the real world is messy. Most drones fight back with failsafe modes. Swarms and DIY FPV drones often ignore standard protocols. That means takeover is useful but not enough on its own. Taiwan knows that and is building layers of defense. Soft kill. Hard kill. And a huge fleet of drones of its own. Taiwan’s push shows how fast counter drone tech is shifting from rare to routine.

Photo credit: D-Fend Solutions, LinkedIn