Taiwan Military Incorporates Multiple Attack Drones Into Drills for First Time

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visited Pingtung County on Sept. 18 to inspect a three-day joint precision missile-firing exercise in which multiple types of attack drones were incorporated into joint combat drills for the first time.

According to Taiwan’s Presidential Office, the exercise tested joint air defense, counterstrike operations, sea-air coordination, coastal strikes and near-shore defense under combat-oriented conditions. Lai said the drills were designed to test weapons effectiveness, command and control, and coordination among the army, navy and air force.

“The coordinated use of unmanned vehicles and conventional weapons showed that the military is accelerating efforts to strengthen its overall combat capabilities,” Lai said, according to Focus Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said the Sept. 16-18 drills at the Jiupeng area integrated missile units, intelligence and surveillance systems, and drones. Participating forces practiced detecting, identifying, assigning and striking targets as part of a coordinated “kill chain,” while testing cooperation between manned and unmanned weapons systems.

The ministry said forces also practiced rapidly moving into firing positions, engaging targets and relocating afterward, while using shipborne radar, air force command systems, mobile radar vehicles and drones to support precision strikes.

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Lai said the exercises demonstrated Taiwan’s ability to adapt its military to changes in modern warfare.

“Peace is hard-won and requires firm determination and sufficient strength to safeguard,” Lai said in remarks published by the Presidential Office. “Every combat-oriented exercise can further enhance combat capabilities and strengthen combat readiness.”