Next month's trials scheduled for drone watercraft, claims insider.
Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is set to evaluate its new attack drone boat, the "Kuai Chi," in June 2025. The combat assessment is planned to showcase the drone boat's capabilities in engaging surface targets during a simulated battlefield scenario.
If proven successful, the uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) will be demonstrated to the military during a precision live-fire missile drill at Jiupeng Base in Pingtung County, Taiwan, in August. The evaluation aims to test the "Kuai Chi's" performance and assess its potential role in Taiwan's defense strategy, particularly in countering a potential invasion.
Unlike commercial drone boats on the market, the "Kuai Chi" has been developed and produced entirely in-house by the NCSIST. Its internal guidance and control systems, along with other core technologies, distinguish it from privately manufactured USVs.
The drone boat's approaching combat evaluation is part of a broader effort by Taiwan to expedite the acquisition and deployment of asymmetric defense capabilities, recognized as crucial components in modern conflicts, especially in maritime defense. Taiwan's initiatives come in response to regional security concerns, with an eye on emerging maritime security challenges.
Several USVs developed by various companies will be unveiled during a showcase scheduled for next month. However, the status of the Kuai Chi for this occasion remains undecided, with the NCSIST stating that it is currently undergoing related evaluations. If its evaluations are successful, it may be presented to the public during the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition in September.
The "Kuai Chi," an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) developed and produced by Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), is set to showcase its core technologies and potential role in Taiwan's defense strategy during its combat evaluation. This demonstration of the "Kuai Chi's" performance will contribute to Taiwan's broader effort of expediting the acquisition and deployment of asymmetric defense capabilities, with a focus on modern maritime defense.
