Taiwan is keeping a careful eye on the Russia-Ukraine War as Chinese threats become more frequent. Although it is thought to have gained important insights from the Ukrainian military in order to prevent an invasion, it might now be taking cues from Russia regarding the application of Electronic Warfare (EW).
According to a notification from the Taiwanese government, the island nation will test a jamming device in September, which might cause extensive electromagnetic interference in the water close to Yilan County and along its coastline. Navigating within the test region was prohibited by the notification.
Two radio jamming tests encompassing the coastal area between Toucheng and Suao townships and the adjoining sea were scheduled to occur from September 2 to 6 and September 9 to 13, according to a notice from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications that was quoted by Taipei Times.
The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is testing a new mobile electronic warfare system for military usage, according to a report citing unidentified sources. The device is powerful enough, according to the sources, to interfere with civilian electronics within its range, which is why sea trials are being carried out.
No information is currently available regarding whether the system is a completely new feature or just an enhanced version of something that is already in use. But as part of its asymmetric warfare plan against China, EurAsian Times is aware that Taiwan is also creating its own electronic warfare hardware in addition to importing EW hardware.
China insists that Taiwan, an independent province that has to rejoin the Chinese mainland, is an autonomous island. The Chinese leadership has stated unequivocally that, should the need arise, it will use force to annex Taiwan.
Taiwan has been closely observing Ukraine’s military’s reaction to the Russian invasion thus far, but it might have to look into Russia’s cutting-edge EW capacity, which has been a significant obstacle for Ukraine.
It has been said that Russia’s jammer equipment interfered with some of the most cutting-edge weapons that NATO had sent to Ukraine. Numerous media sources and testimonies from the front lines of the conflict indicate that Russian electronic warfare has rendered precision-guided weaponry virtually useless.
Reports surfaced in April of this year claiming that Russian electronic warfare weapons have rendered the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) incapable of hitting its target in combat.
Similar to this, in March of this year, senior fellow Daniel Patt of the Hudson Institute testified before Congress that new Russian EW mechanisms caused the targeting system for the GPS-guided Excalibur round in Ukraine to fall from 70% to 6% of its previous level in a matter of months.
Russian electronic warfare strikes have also been known to divert GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) missiles from their intended direction, according to media reports.
Furthermore, Russia has successfully used electronic warfare to neutralize modified aerial bombs known as Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which are guided by GPS. After more than two years of fighting, it appears that although Ukraine has deadly precision weapons that could give Russia a serious blow, the Russian military’s electronic warfare capabilities have repeatedly prevented pinpoint attacks.
Several studies conducted over the previous two years have concluded that Russia has emerged as the obvious winner in EW warfare, even though Ukraine has also deployed some cutting-edge EW equipment.
Taiwan appears to be drawing inspiration from the amazing things that electronic warfare can do in combat. Taiwan has received “great inspiration” from the Russia-Ukraine war, the office of former President Tsai ing Wen told the media last year.
Taiwan has been strengthening its military defenses in case the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invades. Taiwan has been investing in defensive weapon systems, with improved radar and electronic warfare systems gaining primary attention, despite having a large numerical deficit in offensive capabilities.
Three different types of jammers are allegedly being produced by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology for the military: a system that the army uses to counter drones, a system that might interfere with signal-activated improvised explosive devices, and a mobile jammer system that can be mounted on a truck.
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The jammer truck is the most powerful technology, according to the source. It can identify the origin of broadband transmissions in order to allow other resources to carry out targeted actions. It can also detect, interpret, and disrupt broadband communications in the extremely high to very high-frequency range. In order to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threats and the increasingly complex environment in which electronic warfare operations are carried out, the institute is developing next-generation jammer devices.
As China exercises its might, the Taiwanese government has designated weapon systems as priorities since 2018. them systems include fighter jets, drones, ballistic missile defense systems, sophisticated missiles, and electronic warfare technologies. All of them demand more funding.
Taiwan has been practicing coordinating a united reaction to a hypothetical Chinese attack by employing its electronic warfare forces in battle drills. For example, in the quarterly joint Air Defense drills held in June 2024, EW troops were stationed beside fighter jets, Patriot missiles, Tien Kung air defense missiles, and anti-aircraft cannons.
