Taipei: The Taipei Aerospace and Defense Exhibition commenced on Thursday, featuring an array of cutting-edge military systems and unmanned vehicles developed by Taiwan and other nations. The pavilion of Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) displayed hardware categorized into four sections: joint operations weapons, unmanned systems, dual-use technologies, and talent recruitment.

According to Focus Taiwan, the unmanned systems section showcased Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology's (NCSIST) Albatross II, a model developed in collaboration with GEOSAT Aerospace and Technology Inc. The 2025 model retains the size of its 2023 predecessor but boasts enhanced payload capabilities. It can now carry a buoy pod for maritime purposes and a model of the Mighty Hornet loitering munition, akin to the American Switchblade 300.

The NCSIST also introduced a prototype cruise missile developed with the American defense technology company, Anduril Industries, and a subsonic aerial target drone produced with Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc. The Low-Cost Autonomous Cruise Missile, based on Anduril's Barracuda-500, is a medium-range, turbojet-powered cruise missile that remains under development. This land-mobile missile could target sea and land objectives upon completion.

The Mighty Hornet IV multipurpose drone, inspired by Kratos' MQM-178 Firejet model, was also featured, capable of conducting long-range flights up to 1,000 kilometers. The joint operations section of the Taiwan pavilion highlighted 20 new systems, including the M1A2T tank, HIMARS rocket system, Chiang Kung missile, TOW 2B anti-tank system mounted on Humvees, Brave Eagle trainer jet, and a light frigate.