Taiwan launches first live-fire exercise with first-person view drones
Taiwan’s army has for the first time used first-person view (FPV) drones against armoured vehicles in a live-fire exercise, adopting tactics pioneered during the Ukraine war to strengthen its asymmetric capabilities against the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The exercise on Monday highlighted efforts to broaden strike options beyond traditional firepower such as rocket systems and heavy…
Taiwan’s military conducted its first live-fire exercise using first-person view (FPV) drones equipped with armor-piercing warheads against decommissioned tanks and armored carriers. The drill, held on Monday, aimed to bolster the island’s asymmetric capabilities by integrating drones into its arsenal, a trend observed in Ukraine.
The Army Unmanned Systems Training Command led the exercise, involving six units from artillery commands, the Marine Corps, and Military Police. FPV drones, renowned for their agility and maneuverability, were piloted to carry out frontal and flanking strikes, both individually and in pairs. The simulation allowed operators to test the weapons’ effectiveness against actual armor and gain real-world experience operating drones loaded with live munitions.
This move underscores Taiwan's strategic response to the evolving nature of cross-strait warfare, learning from the Ukraine conflict where such drones have become commonplace in reconnaissance and precision attacks. The island continues to bolster its drone capabilities, establishing drone battalions across its northern, central, and southern regions, and developing longer-range systems to maintain strike capabilities even amid potential conflicts.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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