MNA

The Army Unmanned Systems Training Command conducted a live-fire exercise featuring First-Person View (FPV) and munition-dropping drones on June 3. General Lu, Kun-xiu ,Chief of Army, personally supervised the training. The exercise simulated realistic battlefield conditions and conducted precision strikes against various armored vehicles and enemy positions. The drill fully demonstrated the military’s ability to integrate modern warfare trends and employ effective asymmetric warfare capabilities. The Command stated that the live-fire exercise drew upon international combat experience from recent conflicts, including the Russia–Ukraine War. It adopted a development approach for attack drones centered on low cost, high efficiency, and modularity. The exercise was divided into multiple training scenarios, including single-drone operations and dual-drone coordinated strike tactics. The training aimed to familiarize commanders and drone operators with the complete kill chain process of reconnaissance, target designation, tracking, target acquisition, engagement, and battle damage assessment. It also served to verify the operational effectiveness of integrating domestically developed explosive payload kits with unmanned aerial systems. During the FPV drone exercise, operators wore VR goggles and controlled the drones through a first-person perspective supported by real-time video transmission. They demonstrated a high level of proficiency in flight control. The drones were equipped with 3.5-inch high-explosive anti-armor warheads and executed frontal and flank attacks against CM12 tanks, CM24 armored ammunition carriers, and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs). The operators conducted dive attacks from optimal strike angles to engage the designated targets. In the munition-dropping drone training scenario, the exercise evaluated damage effects against enemy wheeled vehicles and dispersed infantry formations. The drones demonstrated excellent loitering capability and optical targeting performance. After ascending to designated altitudes, the operators locked onto the tops of CM12 tanks, including those equipped with cage armor, as well as HMMWVs. They then released 6-inch fin-stabilized high-explosive anti-armor munitions with precision, inflicting devastating damage on enemy personnel and equipment. During his remarks, General Lu stated that precision strikes on the battlefield were never achieved overnight. He noted that successful examples observed in international conflicts had resulted from hundreds or even thousands of failures and extensive training. General Lu emphasized, “Flight operation skills are the most fundamental requirement. Just as tactical discussions are meaningless if a shooter cannot accurately fire a pistol, advanced tactics and strategies are equally ineffective if drone operators lack proficiency and precision.” He added that the impressive attack angles demonstrated during the exercise reflected the operators’ rigorous daily training. The Command emphasized that, in response to current threats and future operational environments, offensive and defensive drone operations had become a core area of continuous tactical development. The exercise not only enabled operators to verify flight parameters under live-munition conditions but also effectively strengthened their ability to perform under pressure in realistic combat environments.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung attended a joint session of the Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee and Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee today to present a report on the draft “Special Act on Procurement for Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities.” During the briefing, Minister Koo stated that the Ministry of National Defense plans to procure several major weapons systems under the special act, including the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, anti-armor loitering munition systems, TOW 2B anti-tank missiles, and Javelin anti-tank missile systems. All systems already received Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) from the United States. He urged the Legislative Yuan to approve the related budget allocations to ensure Taiwan’s armed forces possess the capabilities necessary to safeguard national security. Minister Koo noted that the first tranche of procurement items under Article 5, Paragraph 1, Items 1 through 5 of the special act totals NT$294.99 billion. For fiscal year 2026, NT$8.812 billion has been allocated for weapons procurement, logistics support, engineering infrastructure, and associated program management expenses. Among the major procurement programs, the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer program was scheduled for implementation from 2026 to 2032 with a total budget exceeding NT$80.6 billion. The HIMARS procurement program totalled more than NT$159.7 billion, while the anti-armor loitering munition systems exceeded NT$33 billion. Additional funding would support replenishment of TOW 2B anti-tank missile inventories, TOW 2B launch systems, and Javelin missile systems. Minister Koo explained that the PRC continued to expand its blue-water operational capabilities while fielding next-generation fighter aircraft, integrated ISR strike drones, naval platforms, and precision-guided missile systems. Under these evolving threat conditions, the originally planned procurement quantities were no longer sufficient to meet Taiwan’s operational requirements for counter-landing and coastal defense operations, making additional acquisitions necessary. Regarding the M109A7, Minister Koo stated that the system integrated GPS-based positioning, automated fire control, digital command-and-control capabilities, and precision fires exceeding ranges of 30 kilometers. These capabilities would enable the armed forces to strike enemy command nodes, logistics facilities, and communications centers with greater accuracy and responsiveness. Addressing joint operational effectiveness, Minister Koo noted that during integrated air and missile defense operations, HIMARS systems could conduct long-range precision strikes against enemy missile launch platforms at ranges of up to 300 kilometers. Integrated with existing Patriot, Sky Bow, and short-range air defense systems, as well as AI-enabled decision-support systems, these capabilities would contribute to a more effective layered air and missile defense network. During joint counter-landing operations, HIMARS and M109A7 systems could coordinate with coastal anti-ship missile units to rapidly engage high-value enemy targets from littoral areas to landing beaches using precision fires. Minister Koo further stated that acquisition of systems such as the Albatross II tactical maritime surveillance UAV, vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial systems, and coastal surveillance UAVs would significantly improve maritime domain awareness and targeting capability. These systems could support precision-guided missiles,unmanned surface vessels, and coastal strike drones in rapidly detecting and engaging hostile naval forces, thereby enhancing early warning and rapid-response strike capabilities within Taiwan’s asymmetric defense framework. Minister Koo further explained that during joint homeland defense operations, the ROC Armed Forces would deploy large numbers of surveillance UAVs to track enemy maneuver elements while integrating AI-enabled decision-support systems, the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), and the Taiwan Tactical Network (TTN) to establish a common operational picture and accelerate the sensor-to-shooter kill chain. Using precision fires, anti-armor missile systems, attack drones, and mobile interdiction operations in coordinated operations, Taiwan’s armed forces would seek to impose layered attrition against invading forces. Portable counter-UAS systems would also be deployed throughout the battlespace to defend against the PRC’s small- and medium-class drone threats. Minister Koo further stated that the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer would provide precision fire support at the operational level. Meanwhile, Javelin and TOW 2B anti-tank missiles, as well as anti-armor loitering munition systems, would enable precise engagement of enemy tanks and armored vehicles. Should Taiwan acquire a larger number of surveillance and attack UAVs, AI-enabled decision-support systems, the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), the Taiwan Tactical Network (TTN), and portable counter-UAS systems, these capabilities would significantly enhance rapid detect-and-strike operations and sustain long-term attrition against enemy forces, while also improving force protection for deployed units. Minister Koo emphasized that the procurement of the five major weapons systems, including the M109A7, would significantly enhance Taiwan’s overall joint operational capabilities. However, to fully establish the three critical pillars of a layered air defense network (the Taiwan Dome), asymmetric defense capabilities, and sustained long-term attrition against enemy forces, Taiwan also had to continue developing command-and-control systems, all-domain ISR capabilities, unmanned and counter-UAS systems, medium-range ballistic missile defense systems, and expanded domestic ammunition and equipment production capacity to enhance defense resilience.Only through the integrated development of these capabilities, Minister Koo stated, could Taiwan further strengthen its asymmetric warfare posture and defense resilience to safeguard national security.

Altius-600M Attack Drone Conducts First Live-Fire Shooting—Minister Koo Visits the Site to Commend Personnel Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung inspected the “Altius-600M Attack Drone Acceptance Live-Fire Exercise” today (December 18), commending the personnel’s dedication and efforts in training and encouraging everyone to continue implementing combat readiness preparations, demonstrating the determination to defend the homeland. In the morning, accompanied by Chief of Army Headquarters General Lu and relevant officers, Minister Koo inspected the live status of the attack drone exercise, received a mission briefing, understood the unit’s firing situation, and commended the exercise personnel for their hard work. This live-fire shooting was conducted around the Zhuoshui River, performed by the Unmanned Aircraft System Training Center and various artillery commands, verifying unit operational procedures and overall command-and-control effectiveness. The exercise first conducted performance testing with training drones to confirm the firing airspace and target area environment, then proceeded with live-fire drones to validate personnel proficiency in equipment operation and troubleshooting, as well as the effectiveness of system and command-and-control integration. After the exercise concluded, Minister Koo personally went to the site to commend the participating units, expressing appreciation for the personnel’s teamwork and demonstration of training results; he also expressed expectations that through post-exercise reviews and other measures, areas for improvement will be identified, combat readiness preparations will continue to be implemented, and the determination to defend the homeland and safeguard national security will be demonstrated.

The ROC Armed Forces recently conducted the seven-day, six-night “Land Victory No. 1 Exercise” in the central region, which concluded successfully on October 31. The Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command served as the exercise control headquarters, integrating the 542nd Armored Brigade of the Sixth Army Corps and the 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Tenth Army Corps. The exercise was executed using real troops, real locations, and real equipment in offensive-defensive confrontation, with cross-regional maneuver exceeding 200 kilometers, validating brigade-level joint combat and command-and-control effectiveness. The exercise was based on defensive operations scenarios and adhered to the three major principles of “real troops and real equipment, free-play control, and phased management.” Through scenario induction, participating units were guided to complete subjects including attack, defense, meeting engagement, pursuit, and successive resistance, testing commanders at all levels in on-the-spot judgment and communications maintenance capabilities. The exercise integrated drones and the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), utilizing real-time imagery and surveillance information return to enhance battlefield awareness and command efficiency, achieving the objectives of “precise enemy situation awareness, rapid decision-making, and flexible troop employment.” This was the first time the Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command served as exercise control headquarters, responsible for planning, execution, and evaluation tasks from an objective and impartial standpoint, with exercise outcomes fed back into education, training, and doctrine revision. The drill incorporated real-world terrain and communications interference testing to hone units’ adaptability in complex situations. Personnel at all levels embodied the spirit of “training with the enemy in mind,” completing missions were accomplished under unscripted induction, strengthening defensive combat thinking. Due to the long-duration and long-distance nighttime maneuvers, the exercise posed significant mental and physical challenges to the personnel. Prior to the exercise, units conducted long-distance nighttime driving, equipment inspections, and on-site reconnaissance to familiarize personnel with terrain characteristics and civilian facility locations, facilitating subsequent tactical employment. During the exercise, civilian facilities supported field locations, and local residents enthusiastically assisted units with quartering and rest. They expressed that having the military train locally “brings the armed forces closer to the people.” Residents also stated that seeing tanks and service members operating in the community gave them a sense of the responsibility to defend the homeland and deepened public understanding of the hardships faced by military personnel. Following the conclusion of the exercise, the exercise control headquarters completed full-process evaluation and tactical review, compiling communications and operational data as a basis for future training improvements. The Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command stated that it will continue to refine education, training, and operational research based on these results to enhance overall unit combat effectiveness.