《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Drones, high-tech weaponry to be on show at exhibition

/ Staff writer, with CNA

The military is to showcase an array of domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicles and weapons, including missile and rocket systems, at a defense technology exhibition in Taipei opening today.

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A total of 89 items are to go on display at the Ministry of National Defense pavilion at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, which is scheduled to run from today through Sunday, ministry officials yesterday said at a news conference.

One of the umanned aerial vehicles featured is a large drone developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology’s aeronautical systems research division. The institute is the nation’s main weapons research and development unit.

“It is the latest unmanned aerial vehicle developed by our division,” division director Ma Wan-june （馬萬鈞） said. “It is the first time the aircraft has been revealed to the public.”

Ma said the drone was capable of airborne communication relay and automatic takeoff and landing.

It is also designed for medium-altitude long-endurance missions and multiple payloads, Ma said, but he declined to divulge specifics such as its range, length and weight, as it is still undergoing tests.

The craft is aimed at day and night missions such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, environmental research and coastal patrols, according to information provided by the ministry.

Among the other exhibits is the Sea Oryx missile system which was also developed by the institute.

The Sea Oryx missile system is designed to intercept anti-ship missiles, with each launcher fitted with eight or 16 Sea Oryx missiles, the institute said.

“The missile system is likely to be deployed on small and medium-sized naval vessels,” the institute’s Yen Shih-jui （嚴世銳） said.

The institute is also showcasing the Steel Ball High Explosive Rocket System, which is designed for anti-landing operations. With a range of 1.2km, the weapon can help reduce the need for manpower and offer better protection for military personnel, the institute’s Chen Chun-ho （陳俊和） said.

The military’s pavilion has four sections: Advanced systems, simulators, research and development, and a recruitment center.

Also on display is the Navy’s Tuo Jiang （沱江） stealth missile corvette and the Panshih （磐石） supply vessel, which both went into service in March, as well as the Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III surface-to-surface anti-ship missiles.

The biennial Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition brings together businesses from all over the world displaying a range of aerospace products, navigation systems, precision machine tools and other equipment.

This year’s event has 100 exhibitors according to the organizer, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES