Taiwan shows armed robotic dogs for South China Sea islands

Taiwan’s state-run weapons research institute has publicly demonstrated three armed robotic dogs designed for potential deployment to remote islands in the South China Sea. The prototypes were showcased during a media event in Taipei this week.

The four-legged robots are based on a platform from the United States firm Ghost Robotics and have been customized by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. The institute presented three variants: one for reconnaissance, one for surveillance, and a firepower model equipped with a gun mounted on its back. Officials said the robots are intended for tasks such as coastal patrols, perimeter security, and inspections in challenging terrain.

A senior institute official, Jen Kuokuang, stated that Taiwan’s military has expressed a requirement for such equipment, particularly for use on islands it controls in the South China Sea. He specified a pressing need from the marines for tools to assist with beach and coastline patrols in areas like the Spratly and Pratas Islands. However, no formal procurement order has been placed, indicating the project remains in a prototype and evaluation phase.