Taipei: Taiwan’s annual “Sea and Air Precision Ammunition Firing Exercise” commenced on Tuesday, showcasing a new attack model involving drones launched from unmanned surface vessels against maritime targets. The exercise, which is being hosted by the Air Force this year, is taking place in Jiupeng, Pingtung County, and will continue through Wednesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the live-fire phase on Tuesday primarily engaged the Air Force, featuring Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs) firing Sky Sword II missiles, F-16Vs launching AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and Mirage 2000s testing MICA missiles.
The drills are set to continue on Wednesday with naval vessels and the Navy’s Hai Feng Shore-Based Anti-ship Missile Group firing Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Standard Missile-1s. Additional tests will include the Patriot, Sky Bow, and Sky Sword I systems, as stated by the military. The event will also feature tests of certain “special weapons.”
A key highlight of Tuesday’s session was the test of the “Kuai Chi” Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), developed by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. The vessel, coordinated through the military’s command-and-control system, successfully launched “Ching Feng” attack drones and another undisclosed drone type in a swarm strike, effectively hitting a maritime target. The military is considering future procurement plans for the system based on the evaluation of the test results.
The Air Force submitted a firing notice to the Maritime and Port Bureau, establishing restricted zones on Tuesday and Wednesday off Taitung’s Dawu and Pingtung’s Eluanbi, extending eastward toward Green Island and Orchid Island.
This exercise occurs amidst increasing military pressure from China, which has intensified gray-zone activities around Taiwan, including frequent crossings of the Taiwan Strait’s median line and staging extensive drills nearby. In response, Taiwan’s military is advancing both indigenous and foreign arms procurement, while also enhancing training and implementing reforms to address potential threats.