Taiwan needs ​a “hornet’s nest” of drones to help deter conflict and provide security, the top U.S. diplomat to ‌the democratically governed island said on Thursday. The United States, Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, has strongly backed the government’s military modernisation plan and increased defence spending. Taiwan says it needs to bolster its defences in the face of ​a stepped-up threat from China, which claims the island as its own territory. Speaking at a forum on drones in ​the central city of Taichung, Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan and ⁠the de facto U.S. ambassador, said drones represented a “game-changing opportunity” to enhance Taiwan’s security and reinforce peace in the ​broader region. The U.S. and Taiwan can anchor “democratic” drone production and strengthen the collective deterrence posture of the free world, Greene ​said.

Full report : Taiwan needs a ‘hornet’s nest’ of drones to deter conflict, US diplomat says.