Chinese researchers have simulated a novel military strategy involving thousands of drones to create an electromagnetic shield, aiming to sever Taiwan’s access to Starlink satellite internet during a potential conflict.
The simulation, conducted by Zhejiang University and the Beijing Institute of Technology, suggests a method to disrupt satellite communication after undersea cables are cut. This strategy focuses on isolating Taiwan from external communications.
The proposed tactic, termed “distributed jamming,” involves deploying a vast swarm of drones equipped with jamming devices over a target area. These drones would form a massive electromagnetic barrier, likened to a giant radio umbrella, preventing Starlink signals from reaching the ground and blocking outgoing transmissions.
Beijing views Starlink as a critical “trump card” for Taiwan, difficult to neutralize due to its vast constellation of thousands of interconnected satellites. Destroying individual satellites is considered ineffective against the resilient mesh network.
The urgency of this research stems from lessons learned during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Traditional communication infrastructure attacks, such as cable cutting or signal tower destruction, failed to fully disable Ukrainian communications thanks to Starlink.
Ukrainian forces utilized Starlink for critical coordination, drone command, and maintaining public morale, which significantly prolonged their resistance to Russia’s “3-day special operation.”
For Taiwan, the stakes are considerably higher. Taiwan is not only a military flashpoint but also the world’s primary “Silicon hub,” housing chip factories like TSMC that rely on extensive data connectivity.
A successful communication blackout, combined with China’s known capabilities in cutting underwater cables, could transform Taiwan into a “dark island.” This would paralyze military command and potentially halt the global economy reliant on chip supplies.
Taipei is actively developing its own defensive measures, described as an “Iron Dome” for cyber and electronic warfare. These efforts include investing in both domestically produced and imported anti-drone systems.