Australian Retired Major General: Taiwan Benefits from Expanding Drone Defense, Learning from Russia-Ukraine War
Australian retired Major General Mick Ryan stated that Taiwan could gain an advantage by learning from the Russia-Ukraine war and expanding its drone defense against Chinese threats. However, he expressed concern that domestic political disputes over Taiwan's defense budget could delay crucial defense reforms. He also highlighted strengthening Australia-Japan defense cooperation and China's potential learning from a hypothetical US-Iran war.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 13:36
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Sydney, April 30 (CNA) Australian retired Army Major General Mick Ryan told CNA that facing China's threats, drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and dedicating efforts to defense transformation would give Taiwan a certain advantage; however, political disputes over Taiwan's defense budget could pose a hidden danger to Taiwan's security.
Ryan visited Taiwan in April for field observation and exchanges, and recently returned to Australia. In his email response to CNA's questions, he affirmed Taiwan's commitment to learning from the Russia-Ukraine war and expanding its drone defense capabilities. He said: "If the defense budget proposed by Taiwan's DPP is approved, it will be possible to purchase 300,000 drones and transform the military's command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C2ISR) system, integrating the national air defense and anti-missile networks."
Ryan also mentioned that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense's All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency's social mobilization model is worth learning from for Australia. He said: "That is a complex model worth serious study."
However, Ryan also warned that Taiwan's domestic political commitment to its own defense investment has not yet been clearly defined, which could delay Taiwan's urgently needed defense transformation. He pointed out that with the ruling party proposing a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion, the opposition party's attempt to cut it to one-sixth could lead to a legislative deadlock, thereby hindering Taiwan's defense transformation.
Ryan also mentioned that facing China's threats, Australia and Japan have been increasingly strengthening cooperation. He said: "Australia and Japan are building their most sophisticated bilateral defense relationship ever, including flexible deterrence options, joint planning mechanisms, Australia's large-scale purchase of frigates from Japan, and Japan's first participation in AUKUS exercises; these are very positive and hopefully long-lasting relationships."
Ryan believes: "As China's 'grey-zone operations' in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and around Australia become increasingly assertive, the Australia-Japan alliance is striving to become a key pillar for maintaining regional stability."
Ryan warned that Taiwan needs to be aware that China is learning from the recent US-Iran war, which may prompt China to make significant adjustments to its own strategy.
He explained that while the speed and scale of the US's preemptive strike might have temporarily made China lose confidence, the subsequent war exposed the limitations of US military strike range and allowed China to obtain detailed data on US ammunition consumption rates, precision strike patterns, and ability to resist enemy bombing; all of which could be directly applied to the PLA's operational planning against Taiwan. (Editing: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150430
Ryan visited Taiwan in April for field observation and exchanges, and recently returned to Australia. In his email response to CNA's questions, he affirmed Taiwan's commitment to learning from the Russia-Ukraine war and expanding its drone defense capabilities. He said: "If the defense budget proposed by Taiwan's DPP is approved, it will be possible to purchase 300,000 drones and transform the military's command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C2ISR) system, integrating the national air defense and anti-missile networks."
Ryan also mentioned that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense's All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency's social mobilization model is worth learning from for Australia. He said: "That is a complex model worth serious study."
However, Ryan also warned that Taiwan's domestic political commitment to its own defense investment has not yet been clearly defined, which could delay Taiwan's urgently needed defense transformation. He pointed out that with the ruling party proposing a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion, the opposition party's attempt to cut it to one-sixth could lead to a legislative deadlock, thereby hindering Taiwan's defense transformation.
Ryan also mentioned that facing China's threats, Australia and Japan have been increasingly strengthening cooperation. He said: "Australia and Japan are building their most sophisticated bilateral defense relationship ever, including flexible deterrence options, joint planning mechanisms, Australia's large-scale purchase of frigates from Japan, and Japan's first participation in AUKUS exercises; these are very positive and hopefully long-lasting relationships."
Ryan believes: "As China's 'grey-zone operations' in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and around Australia become increasingly assertive, the Australia-Japan alliance is striving to become a key pillar for maintaining regional stability."
Ryan warned that Taiwan needs to be aware that China is learning from the recent US-Iran war, which may prompt China to make significant adjustments to its own strategy.
He explained that while the speed and scale of the US's preemptive strike might have temporarily made China lose confidence, the subsequent war exposed the limitations of US military strike range and allowed China to obtain detailed data on US ammunition consumption rates, precision strike patterns, and ability to resist enemy bombing; all of which could be directly applied to the PLA's operational planning against Taiwan. (Editing: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150430