Can Taiwan’s 3,200 Combat Drones Stop China’s 2,000 Warplanes?

China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force currently operates a formidable fleet of over 2,000 combat aircraft, including advanced stealth fighters like the J-20 and strategic bombers such as the H-6. In response, Taiwan is developing a substantial force of approximately 3,200 combat drones designed to counterbalance China’s aerial superiority. These drones, which include loitering munitions and kamikaze types, represent a shift toward asymmetric warfare, leveraging AI, autonomy, and swarm tactics to overwhelm traditional manned aircraft through attrition and numbers. This evolving dynamic signals a transformation in air combat doctrine, moving away from conventional metrics of air superiority based solely on the number of manned planes. Instead, success will depend on the ability to integrate and adapt to new technologies such as hypersonic interceptors and electronic warfare capabilities. The competition between China and Taiwan highlights a broader strategic contest in the Indo-Pacific region, with significant implications for U.S. military strategy and regional security. Ultimately,