Taiwan's military exercise entered its third day on January 29, with the Navy taking center stage in demonstrations that included the first public demonstration of the domestically-developedChien Feng attack drone.
However, the debut took an embarrassing turn when the drone crashed immediately after launch, prompting one observer to quip that "even a middle school student's water rocket would fly farther."
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in Taiwan's domestic defense technology development as the island seeks to bolster its asymmetric warfare capabilities against potential Chinese aggression.
According to official specifications, theChien Feng attack drone can fly at 50 knots with a control range of approximately 8 kilometers, a flight duration of 15 minutes, an altitude ceiling of 150 meters, and employs tube-launched deployment without recovery capabilities. The drone features targeted guidance and mission pre-planning navigation abilities, equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras. （Related： Does the Latest Chinese General's Downfall Signal an Impeding Crisis in the Taiwan Strait? ｜ Latest ）
Held at the Taoziyuan Beach in the southern city of Kaoshiung, the exercises focused on coastal defenses against a simulated amphibious invasion. Military planners designed the demonstration to showcase jointdefense operations combining coastal strike systems and drones into effective kill chains.
