The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense has allocated funding to begin producing local loitering munitions after defense officials stated that the number of drones purchased from the US is insufficient to defend against a Chinese offensive..On June 18th, the US State Department confirmed the sale of 720 Switchblade 300 Anti-Personnel and Anti-Armor Loitering Missile Systems plus 291 more ALTIUS 600M-V Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), worth around $60.2 million (1.9 billion NTD)..Taiwan will begin mass-producing the Type-1 and Type-2 kamikaze drones and will complete production sometime in 2025. In addition to the Type-1 and Type-2, Taiwan will also produce more Chien Hsiang anti-radiation drones, improving sea and air combat capabilities, and both are expected to be included in the Ministry's 2025 budget..Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) will also begin upgrades for the Chien Hsiang drones, improving their overall performance, to be produced in small batches, which is also expected to appear on the annual budget..What Are Loitering Munitions?.Loitering assault munitions (LAMs), also referred to as suicide, kamikaze, or explosive drones, are a type of airborne weapon designed to be launched from the ground, sea, or air. Once launched, the drones will circle the area of a target, sometimes for hours, and use any built-in sensors or guidance systems to track and strike the target with the explosive warhead attached to it..The drones offer a middle ground between Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and cruise missiles since cruise missiles do not remain around an area waiting to strike, and UCAVs do not have a built-in warhead. Additionally, LAMs can be launched in groups or individually, be more selective with targets, including those hidden or under cover, and abort strikes on targets mid-flight..Loitering munitions have grown in usage since the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan war and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine..Taiwan's Type-1, Type-2, and Chien Hsiang.The NCSIST Type-1 loitering munition was designed more for anti-personnel and is comparable to the American Switchblade 300, with it bearing a resemblance in appearance. According to NCSIST data based on testing with the Type-1, it can loiter in the air for approximately 15 minutes and has a 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) guided control range..The NCSIST Type-2 is an improvement over the Type-1, featuring a longer flight time, carrying out missions beyond visual range, and striking targets using infrared and microwave optics. Launching has also been improved, as the Type-2 can offer multi-launch devices for swarm attacks onboard ships or vehicles. The Type-2 also features anti-armor capabilities compared to the Type-1, designating it for different types of targets..The Chien Hsaing, or Rising Sword, also developed by NCSIST, has an operational range of 621 miles (1,000 km), is powered by liquid fuel propellant, and travels at speeds of up to 115 mph (185 km/h) with a reported maximum loitering time of 100 hours. The drones can be launched from a fixed position using a 12-cell trailer-mounted launching system, towed by a vehicle. Reports have indicated that Taiwan may have the ability to mount these on other vehicles, such as ships..There are two variants of the Chien Hsaing, one primarily dealing with longer-range strikes using a target imaging guidance system and the other designed for higher-value targets featuring a satellite guidance system, both carrying explosive warheads. The primary targets for the Chien Hsaing consist of radar systems, transmitters, or similar systems, and could be used to attack other targets, such as vehicles, outposts, or ships..Why Taiwan is Building More.Taiwan is producing more loitering munitions, probably in an attempt to bolster its defensive capabilities if a conflict with China takes place, where these drones would likely be deployed against naval targets in the Taiwan Strait or other surrounding waters, and as part of a plan to improve the overall defensive capabilities of the Taiwanese armed forces, particularly its navy..Loitering munitions could increase the number of casualties China takes if any invasion were to happen, as well as increase China's potential to lose more ships, which could put China in a difficult position in terms of conducting attacks. Taiwan building up its stocks of loitering munitions likely acts as a deterrent to China, even if they develop systems to counter the munitions, such as jammers. Launching loitering munitions could also pose less risk in case the drone is destroyed, as they are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Losing one or more would likely be far less costly than other assets, such as cruise missiles or equipment that requires personnel to operate. The munitions would likely be launched to strike as many ships as possible, making the process of an invasion as difficult as possible for China..The towed 12-cell launcher's mobility could make it slightly harder to locate a launch site; however, if the site is located and attacked, all unused munitions and personnel would likely be lost, which could be considered a drawback..Using loiter munitions would be cost-effective, faster, and could be a better system for striking moving targets, such as a ship, compared to a cruise missile, although Taiwan has begun producing and expanding its fleet of missiles, which will allow for greater combat capabilities paired with the loitering munitions. Taiwan does not possess any UCAVs, but they are developing the NCSIST Teng Yun, a locally produced UCAV similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper, designed for carrying weapons. Adding loitering munitions will give Taiwan an additional option in conjunction with cruise missiles or when they adopt UCAVs in the future..Manufacturing its own loiter munitions and missiles also means Taiwan will decrease its dependence on foreign powers that sell them weapons, such as the United States. Taiwan can also improve its design to fit its needs, which could allow for greater performance in its environment. They will likely need to focus on a design focused on maritime operations, against naval or air targets. Developing their designs will result in less foreign dependence and a more self-sufficient defense sector, with better designs and an increased budget as the Taiwanese defense industry grows..The loitering munitions could provide a good alternative while still maintaining defensive capabilities. Taiwan could deploy the Type-1 and Type-2 against lighter surface vessels, such as patrol boats, infantry fighting vehicles, amphibious tanks, or other lightly armed targets, and the Chien Hsaing against ships such as frigates, destroyers, or any structures, such as radar stations, supply hubs, SAM sites, docks, or airstrips within operational range.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense has allocated funding to begin producing local loitering munitions after defense officials stated that the number of drones purchased from the US is insufficient to defend against a Chinese offensive..On June 18th, the US State Department confirmed the sale of 720 Switchblade 300 Anti-Personnel and Anti-Armor Loitering Missile Systems plus 291 more ALTIUS 600M-V Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), worth around $60.2 million (1.9 billion NTD)..Taiwan will begin mass-producing the Type-1 and Type-2 kamikaze drones and will complete production sometime in 2025. In addition to the Type-1 and Type-2, Taiwan will also produce more Chien Hsiang anti-radiation drones, improving sea and air combat capabilities, and both are expected to be included in the Ministry's 2025 budget..Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) will also begin upgrades for the Chien Hsiang drones, improving their overall performance, to be produced in small batches, which is also expected to appear on the annual budget..What Are Loitering Munitions?.Loitering assault munitions (LAMs), also referred to as suicide, kamikaze, or explosive drones, are a type of airborne weapon designed to be launched from the ground, sea, or air. Once launched, the drones will circle the area of a target, sometimes for hours, and use any built-in sensors or guidance systems to track and strike the target with the explosive warhead attached to it..The drones offer a middle ground between Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and cruise missiles since cruise missiles do not remain around an area waiting to strike, and UCAVs do not have a built-in warhead. Additionally, LAMs can be launched in groups or individually, be more selective with targets, including those hidden or under cover, and abort strikes on targets mid-flight..Loitering munitions have grown in usage since the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan war and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine..Taiwan's Type-1, Type-2, and Chien Hsiang.The NCSIST Type-1 loitering munition was designed more for anti-personnel and is comparable to the American Switchblade 300, with it bearing a resemblance in appearance. According to NCSIST data based on testing with the Type-1, it can loiter in the air for approximately 15 minutes and has a 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) guided control range..The NCSIST Type-2 is an improvement over the Type-1, featuring a longer flight time, carrying out missions beyond visual range, and striking targets using infrared and microwave optics. Launching has also been improved, as the Type-2 can offer multi-launch devices for swarm attacks onboard ships or vehicles. The Type-2 also features anti-armor capabilities compared to the Type-1, designating it for different types of targets..The Chien Hsaing, or Rising Sword, also developed by NCSIST, has an operational range of 621 miles (1,000 km), is powered by liquid fuel propellant, and travels at speeds of up to 115 mph (185 km/h) with a reported maximum loitering time of 100 hours. The drones can be launched from a fixed position using a 12-cell trailer-mounted launching system, towed by a vehicle. Reports have indicated that Taiwan may have the ability to mount these on other vehicles, such as ships..There are two variants of the Chien Hsaing, one primarily dealing with longer-range strikes using a target imaging guidance system and the other designed for higher-value targets featuring a satellite guidance system, both carrying explosive warheads. The primary targets for the Chien Hsaing consist of radar systems, transmitters, or similar systems, and could be used to attack other targets, such as vehicles, outposts, or ships..Why Taiwan is Building More.Taiwan is producing more loitering munitions, probably in an attempt to bolster its defensive capabilities if a conflict with China takes place, where these drones would likely be deployed against naval targets in the Taiwan Strait or other surrounding waters, and as part of a plan to improve the overall defensive capabilities of the Taiwanese armed forces, particularly its navy..Loitering munitions could increase the number of casualties China takes if any invasion were to happen, as well as increase China's potential to lose more ships, which could put China in a difficult position in terms of conducting attacks. Taiwan building up its stocks of loitering munitions likely acts as a deterrent to China, even if they develop systems to counter the munitions, such as jammers. Launching loitering munitions could also pose less risk in case the drone is destroyed, as they are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Losing one or more would likely be far less costly than other assets, such as cruise missiles or equipment that requires personnel to operate. The munitions would likely be launched to strike as many ships as possible, making the process of an invasion as difficult as possible for China..The towed 12-cell launcher's mobility could make it slightly harder to locate a launch site; however, if the site is located and attacked, all unused munitions and personnel would likely be lost, which could be considered a drawback..Using loiter munitions would be cost-effective, faster, and could be a better system for striking moving targets, such as a ship, compared to a cruise missile, although Taiwan has begun producing and expanding its fleet of missiles, which will allow for greater combat capabilities paired with the loitering munitions. Taiwan does not possess any UCAVs, but they are developing the NCSIST Teng Yun, a locally produced UCAV similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper, designed for carrying weapons. Adding loitering munitions will give Taiwan an additional option in conjunction with cruise missiles or when they adopt UCAVs in the future..Manufacturing its own loiter munitions and missiles also means Taiwan will decrease its dependence on foreign powers that sell them weapons, such as the United States. Taiwan can also improve its design to fit its needs, which could allow for greater performance in its environment. They will likely need to focus on a design focused on maritime operations, against naval or air targets. Developing their designs will result in less foreign dependence and a more self-sufficient defense sector, with better designs and an increased budget as the Taiwanese defense industry grows..The loitering munitions could provide a good alternative while still maintaining defensive capabilities. Taiwan could deploy the Type-1 and Type-2 against lighter surface vessels, such as patrol boats, infantry fighting vehicles, amphibious tanks, or other lightly armed targets, and the Chien Hsaing against ships such as frigates, destroyers, or any structures, such as radar stations, supply hubs, SAM sites, docks, or airstrips within operational range.
