Taiwan unveils first domestically manufactured suicide drone: Report

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Mar 2023 18:29
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Taiwan presents a set of drones of its own production.

Domestically developed attack drones displayed at the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taichung, March 13, 2023 (CNA)

Taiwan's state-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) unveiled on Tuesday nine drones of its own production, including a kamikaze drone similar to the US-made Switchblade 300 which it supplies to Ukraine, Taiwanese media reported.

According to Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA), the institute presented the medium-sized Albatross drone, the small Cardinal drone, and the large Teng Yun drone, in addition to several models of combat drones.

Inspired by the Switchblade 300, NCSIST's suicide drone has a flight range of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), is so small as to fit inside a backpack, and can stay in the air for over 15 minutes, Chi Li-pin, the head of the institute's Aeronautical Systems Research Division, pointed out at the presentation.

He highlighted that the drone, equipped with a highly sensitive electro-optical infrared sensor, could hit high-value vehicles and personnel without requiring more than one soldier to carry and use it.

"It's like a large grenade capable of flying," Chi said, as quoted by the CNA, adding that the institute intended to pursue the development of larger drones with a longer range.

In February, Chi revealed that Taiwan was speeding up the development and production of drones for military purposes by engaging civilian companies amid growing insecurity globally and in the Taiwan Strait.

He also said Taiwan's drone program would take into account the experience of the use of drones in the Ukraine war.

Taiwan has stepped up its military activities in recent years, in addition to increasing its weapons purchase from the US, which is gradually attempting to break the One China policy.

Last week, a government report stressed at the opening of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress that China will firmly fight against "Taiwan’s independence" and promote reunification of the island with the homeland.