Taiwan debuts medium-class strike drones during annual Han Kuang military exercise Taiwan Navy tests indigenous loitering munitions to reinforce littoral defense strategy New strike drone class showcased in Taiwan amid effort to expand unmanned capabilities
The Taiwanese navy deployed two medium-class strike drones during littoral combat drills at Tsoying, marking the first operational showcase of the indigenous platforms at the annual Han Kuang exercises. According to reporting by Business Insider, the fixed-wing, propeller-driven one-way loitering munitions resemble designs deployed in Ukraine to target logistical assets and supply lines behind front lines.
The platforms loitered for approximately 30 minutes during a simulated beach defense scenario attended by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Provided by the Armament Bureau for naval testing, the medium-range drones are intended to fill an operational gap in Taiwan’s littoral defense, providing an over-the-horizon strike option against slow-moving landing vessels and maritime targets within a 40-to-60-kilometer envelope across the Taiwan Strait.
The trial aligns with Taiwan’s strategy to field over 210,000 domestically produced aerial, surface, and underwater uncrewed systems supported by a proposed $6.6 billion procurement budget. The broader littoral exercise also featured M109 Skyship rigid-hull inflatable boats, Kuang Hua-6 missile craft, and an Anping-class patrol catamaran, testing defense capabilities against potential gray-zone activities and amphibious assault operations.
