Taiwan launches first live-fire exercise with first-person view drones

Taiwan's army conducted a pioneering live-fire exercise on Monday, employing first-person view (FPV) drones against armored vehicles for the first time. The exercise aimed to enhance the island's asymmetric capabilities against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by incorporating tactics observed from the Ukraine conflict. The Army Unmanned Systems Training Command coordinated six units from artillery commands, Marine Corps, and Military Police to participate in the exercise.

FPV drones, known for their maneuverability and accuracy, were used to test their effectiveness against decommissioned tanks and armoured ammunition carriers. The drones conducted frontal and flanking strikes both individually and in coordinated attacks. The exercise simulates real battlefield conditions, allowing operators to gain experience flying drones with live munitions.

This move aligns with the lessons learned from the Ukraine war, where FPV drones have become popular for reconnaissance and precision attacks. Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of China and has not ruled out force to reunite, has been developing similar systems to prepare its forces for a potential conflict. The exercise underscores the need for Taiwan to expand its drone capabilities, including establishing dedicated assessment centers and overcoming challenges such as equipment delays and lack of suitable training grounds.