Taiwan drone defences fall short against Beijing’s evolving technology, audit reveals

3-MIN READ3-MIN6ListenPublished: 10:00pm, 15 Aug 2026Taiwan’s push to build a modern counter-drone shield has come under renewed scrutiny after an official audit uncovered technical shortcomings and a key procurement programme collapsed following repeated testing failures.The developments have fuelled concerns that Taipei’s efforts to match Beijing’s rapidly evolving drone technology are being undermined by capability gaps, procurement failures and delays in building an integrated counter-drone network.According to a recent report by Taiwan’s Audit Office, the military’s NT$3.55 billion (US$111 million) fixed-site counter-drone programme has significant shortcomings, despite being designed to protect airbases and other key military facilities.01:29China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trialsThe audit found the system, developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) – Taiwan’s top weapons developer – could not detect or jam the 5.1GHz frequency used by newer People’s Liberation Army drone models.