Robot dogs will guard Taiwan's islands in the South China Sea

Taiwan's military is actively introducing advanced technologies to strengthen defense in one of the hottest regions in the world. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, a leading weapons development center, has unveiled three robot dogs that could potentially patrol remote islands in the South China Sea.

The demonstration took place at a Ministry of Defense event, xrust reported. The robots are created on the basis of the American platform Ghost Robotics, one of the key suppliers of four-legged machines for the US Army. Taiwanese specialists installed their own equipment on them: versions for reconnaissance, surveillance and fire support (the latter equipped with weapons).

Deputy head of the institute's missile systems research department, Tseng Guo-guang, noted that the military has already expressed the need for such equipment, although an official order has not yet been issued. The need is especially dire, Marines say, on the beaches and coasts of Nansha (Spratly) and Dongsha (Pratas) islands. These territories are of strategic importance, and their protection in peacetime falls on the shoulders of the coast guard.

Taiwan controls Itu Aba Island in the Spratly Archipelago and the entire Pratas Archipelago. There is no permanent civilian population on the islands — only military and border guards. In recent months, Taipei has repeatedly complained about increased Chinese coast guard and drone activity in the Pratas area.

Why robot dogs? Four-legged vehicles are ideal for difficult terrain: sandy beaches, rocks, lack of roads. They can operate autonomously, transmit real-time video, detect intruders, and even carry light weapons. This helps reduce risks for personnel in potentially hazardous areas.

Taiwan has been actively developing unmanned systems for several years as part of an asymmetric defense strategy against China's much larger army. Drones, maritime drones and now ground robots are becoming an important part of this doctrine.

Experts note that the emergence of such robots fits into the global trend of militarization of AI and robotics. Interestingly, China itself is also actively testing “robot wolves” and packs of four-legged machines for possible operations in the region.

For now we are talking only about demonstrating and studying the possibilities. However, the very fact of the presentation signals: Taiwan is seriously preparing for any developments in the South China Sea. In the era of high technology, even “dogs” can become an important deterrent.

Based on materials from reuters.com

Xrust Robot dogs will guard the islands of Taiwan in South China Sea