China Launches World's First 'Drone Aircraft Carrier'... Taiwan Deploys Drone Defense System

Capable of Mounting Unmanned Systems Equipment for Air, Sea, and Submersible Use

Unmanned drone operating at sea. Not related to the article. /Photo by Yonhap News

`[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] China has developed the world's first unmanned aircraft carrier capable of autonomous navigation.

Chinese media, including Guangming Daily, reported on the 20th that the world's first remotely controlled smart unmanned aircraft transport ship, Zhuhaiyun (珠海雲), was launched on the 18th in Guangzhou. The transport ship was conceptualized by the Southern Marine Laboratory and the China Ship Design and Research Center took overall responsibility for its construction.

Zhuhaiyun, measuring 88.5 meters in length, 14 meters in width, and with a displacement of about 2,000 tons, has a wide deck capable of carrying dozens of unmanned systems for aerial, maritime, and underwater use. It will undergo performance testing of core equipment, smart systems, and unmanned systems, followed by navigation tests by the end of the year before being deployed in the field.

Chinese media stated that "Zhuhaiyun can be utilized for marine disaster prevention, marine environmental monitoring, and providing marine information," and predicted that "by being used to secure marine observation data, it will contribute to the cultivation of advanced marine science and technology talents and innovation in marine science and technology."

Although the media emphasized Zhuhaiyun's non-military uses, given the global trend of expanding military applications of unmanned aerial vehicles, its potential use for military purposes cannot be ruled out.

Meanwhile, according to Taiwan Central News Agency on the same day, Taiwan plans to install drone defense systems at 45 locations including naval and air force bases and missile bases over the next four years.

This is a five-year program continuing until 2026, with Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense investing 4.3 billion Taiwan dollars (approximately 180 billion Korean won) to purchase unmanned aerial vehicle defense systems designed by the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

This system is responsible for detecting, tracking, disrupting, or neutralizing drones involved in hostile aerial reconnaissance or other potential hostile acts from a long distance. Taiwan appears to be preparing for the possibility of drone attacks from China using this system.