Taiwan to equip close-range spy drones with ammunition system, report says

The drones were originally designed for battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

“The institute is in the process of customising the drones, with some of them being fitted with the laser target system and others with the ammunition system,” CNA quoted an unnamed military source as saying.

The source said the laser system would enable operators to accurately lock onto targets and transmit the coordinates back to an army base.

A drone with the ammunition system would be able to respond to unexpected attacks while on a reconnaissance mission by dropping up to eight rounds of 60mm mortars, according to the source.

The drones – to be used by joint combat units for near-sea and urban reconnaissance – have a flight time of up to 60 minutes and a remote-control distance of up to 30km (18.6 miles).

Meanwhile, two prototypes of a new variant of the Clouded Leopard armoured vehicle are being tested and so far the results have gone beyond standard requirements, the defence ministry said on Monday.

“The initial operational testing and evaluation of the two prototypes is under way and is expected to be completed by October,” the statement said, adding that the vehicles would go into mass production as soon as they passed final testing.

Taiwan’s Armaments Bureau is developing the NT$769 million project aimed at boosting the island’s infantry strength with greater firepower and rapid strike capabilities.

The eight-wheeled armoured vehicle has a 105mm cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a remote weapon station with a 12.7mm machine gun, according to the bureau.