The Taiwanese Navy has ordered domestically-produced exploding drones to enhance its aerial strike capabilities amid rising tensions with China.
The drones, known as Loitering Munition 1, have been developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and are currently undergoing final certification tests.
Equipped with high-explosive warheads, the drones are designed to neutralize enemy personnel, armored vehicles, and other high-value targets.
They also have an electro-optical infrared camera system, a tablet-based controller, and a launcher utilizing compressed air for optimal performance.
According to the NCSIST, the drones have a range exceeding 100 kilometers (62 miles) and can loiter for up to 15 minutes.
They are designed for ground use only, meaning the navy may be procuring them for the Marine Corps.
A Pivotal Role
Earlier this year, the Center for a New American Security highlighted the growing strategic significance of drones in a potential Taiwan-China conflict.
The report noted that Beijing’s extensive drone fleet could provide a significant advantage, urging Taiwan and the US to quickly address the gap by procuring sufficient quantities of reliable long-range drones.
In response, the island nation has significantly ramped up its investments in unmanned aerial platforms, including a formal agreement with the US for the purchase of 1,000 attack drones
It also sent a delegation to Lithuania to explore collaboration in drone technology.
Additionally, in July, Taiwan partnered with US aerospace firm RapidFlight to explore 3D printing technologies for drone production.
