TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense (國防部) held the third day of its Navy's Lunar New Year combat readiness drill on Thursday (Jan. 29) in Kaohsiung's Zuoying (左營), a major naval base in southern Taiwan. The event marked the first public display of the NCSIST (中科院), Taiwan's primary defense research agency, domestically produced Chien Feng I (勁蜂一型) loitering munition. The attack drone, which can hover over targets before striking, showcased the Marine Corps' coastal defense operations.
The drill unfolded in four phases: maritime and battlefield awareness, joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, strikes against enemy landing forces, and precision sniping and beach interdiction. The Navy simulated anti-ship attacks using Kuang Hua VI-class (光華六號) missile boats and Hsiung Feng II/III (雄風二／三型) missile launch vehicles. The military employed various drones for reconnaissance, identification, attack, and battle damage assessment during the exercise.
During the exercise, the Marine Corps' 99th Brigade (陸戰九九旅) conducted two precision strikes on coastal enemy targets using the Chien Feng I attack drones. However, one drone failed to hit its target due to a wing-surface-control failure and fell into the sea. A missile boat subsequently corrected the missed strike and successfully hit the target. The NCSIST attributed the drone's crash to a failure in wing surface control.
The NCSIST emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance hardware reliability for future combat effectiveness. The drill also showcased the XT-112 12.7mm sniper rifle, developed by the Armaments Bureau's 205th Factory (軍備局第205廠), Taiwan's military manufacturing arm, paired with the ATAK battlefield awareness system, an Android-based app for real-time situational data. The demonstration highlighted the Navy's modernized joint combat capabilities and coastal defense readiness.