Autonomous watercraft and drones employed in exercise focusing on precise attack missions
The "Sea and Air Precision Ammunition Firing Exercise" in Taiwan showcased an innovative drone attack model, combining the use of the domestically developed Kuai Chi uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and Ching Feng attack drones in coordinated swarm strikes.
The Kuai Chi USV, developed by Taiwan's state-run weapons manufacturer National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, is a fast, low-cost naval drone designed for swarm operations. Capable of electronic jamming, suicide strikes, and coordinated attacks with UAVs, the Kuai Chi USV features a lightweight hull for high speed and agility in coastal and littoral waters. It can operate autonomously or by remote control, even in contested electronic war environments.
During the exercise, Taiwan's forces successfully demonstrated the integrated use of Kuai Chi USVs alongside Ching Feng drones in a swarm attack that combined electronic warfare and precision strikes, effectively suppressing enemy defenses and achieving target hits at sea. This represents a new asymmetric naval warfare approach tailored to Taiwan’s defense needs against amphibious or naval threats.
The live-fire phase of the exercise focused on the air force, with F-16Vs launching AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles. Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs) also fired Sky Sword II missiles, while Mirage 2000s test-fired MICA missiles. Naval vessels are set to fire Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Standard Missile-1s today. AGM-65 Maverick missiles were also launched during the exercise.
The navy's Hai Feng Shore-Based Anti-ship Missile Group is involved in the exercise, which is being hosted by the air force at Pingtung County's Jiupeng Military Base. The military is considering procurement plans for the system following evaluation of the test results, with additional live-fire tests to involve Patriot, Sky Bow, and Sky Sword I systems.
This new model enables operations that overwhelm enemy systems through coordinated multi-domain attacks combining surface and aerial unmanned platforms. The successful demonstration of the Kuai Chi USV and Ching Feng drone swarm attack marks a significant step forward in Taiwan’s modern asymmetric defense strategy.
[1] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3143630/taiwan-prepares-launch-new-swarm-drone-attack-exercise [2] https://www.defensenews.com/global/asiaspecialreport/2021/05/17/taiwan-to-test-new-swarm-drone-attack-system-amid-growing-china-threat/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-test-swarm-attack-drones-as-china-military-drills-nearby-2021-05-17/ [4] https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/taiwan-tests-swarm-drone-attack-system-amid-growing-china-threat [5] https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/05/17/2112416
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