Taiwan -- Drone / UAS Inventory
Last Updated: 2026-03-29 | Next Review Due: 2026-04-29
Last updated: 2026-03-28
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED // OSINT
Source ratings per: SOURCE_RATING.md
Overview
Taiwan has invested heavily in indigenous drone development through NCSIST (National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology) as a key asymmetric capability against PRC invasion scenarios. The Chien Hsiang (Sword Xiang) anti-radiation loitering munition is Taiwan's most significant indigenous drone weapon. Taiwan also operates imported ISR platforms and is rapidly expanding FPV/kamikaze drone programs following Ukraine war lessons.
Indigenous Systems
NCSIST Chien Hsiang (Sword Xiang / Jian Xiang)
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Designation | Chien Hsiang (also romanized Jian Xiang) |
| Type | Anti-radiation loitering munition |
| Manufacturer | NCSIST |
| Origin | Taiwan (ROC) |
| Wingspan | ~2.0 m (estimated) |
| Length | ~1.2 m (estimated) |
| MTOW | Unknown (estimated sub-100 kg) |
| Warhead | HE blast-fragmentation (designed to destroy radar antennas and C2 nodes) |
| Endurance | Estimated 5+ hours |
| Range | ~1,000 km (claimed) |
| Speed | ~185+ km/h cruise |
| Guidance | Passive anti-radiation seeker + EO terminal; man-in-the-loop capable |
| Launch | Multi-round box launcher (truck-mounted; 12-round configuration displayed) |
| Status | In production; fielded with ROC military from ~2023 |
| Target set | PLA air defense radars, shore-based C2, ship radars during anti-landing operations |
| Export | None (restricted by ROC policy and US arms export considerations) |
| Combat use | None |
| EOD relevance | Critical -- integral warhead with impact fuzing; anti-radiation seeker homes on emitting radars; box launcher contains multiple rounds with solid rocket boosters; if radar turns off, loitering munition may orbit and crash with live warhead; mass salvo launch creates potential for multiple UXO across wide area |
| Sources | NCSIST promotional video/exhibits (A-2), Taiwan MND reports (A-2), Jane's (B-2), Taiwan defense media (C-2) |
NCSIST Cardinal (Hong Que)
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Designation | Cardinal / Hong Que |
| Type | Tactical ISR UAV |
| Manufacturer | NCSIST |
| Origin | Taiwan |
| Wingspan | ~3.0 m |
| MTOW | ~30-50 kg |
| Endurance | ~3-4 hours |
| Payload | EO/IR |
| Armament | None |
| Launch | Hand/catapult launch |
| Recovery | Belly/parachute |
| Status | In service with ROC Army |
| EOD relevance | Low -- small unarmed ISR |
| Sources | Taiwan MND (A-2), Jane's (B-3) |
NCSIST Albatross
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Designation | Albatross |
| Type | Tactical ISR UAV |
| Manufacturer | NCSIST |
| Origin | Taiwan |
| Wingspan | ~6.0+ m (estimated) |
| MTOW | ~150-200 kg (estimated) |
| Endurance | ~8-10 hours |
| Payload | EO/IR, laser designator |
| Armament | None confirmed |
| Status | In service with ROC Army/Navy |
| EOD relevance | Low -- primarily ISR |
| Sources | Taiwan defense press (C-3), Jane's (B-3) |
NCSIST Teng Yun (Soaring Cloud) MALE UAV
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Designation | Teng Yun (also Tengcloud) |
| Type | Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV |
| Manufacturer | NCSIST / AIDC |
| Origin | Taiwan |
| Wingspan | ~18 m (estimated) |
| MTOW | ~1,500 kg (estimated) |
| Endurance | ~24 hours (target) |
| Ceiling | ~25,000+ ft |
| Payload | EO/IR, SAR, ELINT; weapons hardpoints under development |
| Armament | Planned weapons integration (indigenous Wan Chien-type glide munitions or missiles) |
| Status | Prototype flight testing; delayed program; intended to provide MQ-9-class capability without US export constraints |
| Export | None |
| Combat use | None |
| EOD relevance | Moderate -- if armed variant deployed, will carry precision munitions; crash sites may contain live ordnance |
| Sources | NCSIST official (A-3), Taiwan MND budget documents (A-2), Taiwan defense media (C-3) |
Indigenous FPV / Kamikaze Drone Programs
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Context | Post-Ukraine war, Taiwan has aggressively pursued mass production of small FPV strike drones and loitering munitions for asymmetric anti-landing defense |
| Key programs | - NCSIST small loitering munition programs (details classified); - ROC Army FPV drone training program (announced 2023); - Civilian drone industry mobilization for military production; - Phoenix Ghost-style concepts; - Maritime anti-ship FPV kamikaze concepts for littoral defense |
| Production targets | Taiwan MND announced plans for thousands of small attack drones per year |
| Warheads | Various -- anti-personnel fragmentation, anti-armor shaped charge, thermobaric |
| EOD relevance | Critical -- mass deployment of small attack drones with integral warheads creates large-scale UXO problem; commercial-grade components make identification difficult; improvised/purpose-built warheads; multiple fuzing types; beach defense use means coastal UXO |
| Sources | Taiwan MND statements (A-2), NCSIST (A-3), Taiwan defense media (C-2), OSINT accounts (D-2) |
Imported Systems
| System | Origin | Type | Status | EOD relevance |
|---|
| ScanEagle | US (Boeing/Insitu) | Small tactical ISR | Limited numbers | Low |
| MQ-9B (attempted) | US (GA-ASI) | MALE armed capable | US export approval uncertain; Taiwan developing Teng Yun as hedge | High if acquired (Hellfire/JDAM) |
EOD-Specific Threat Summary
| Priority | System | Key hazard |
|---|
| Critical | Chien Hsiang loitering munition | Anti-radiation seeker, integral warhead, mass box-launcher creates multi-UXO fields |
| Critical | FPV/kamikaze mass programs | Small warheads, coastal deployment, hard to identify |
| High | Teng Yun (future armed) | Precision munitions at crash sites |
| Low | Cardinal, Albatross, ScanEagle | Unarmed ISR |
Sources Summary
| Source | Rating | Notes |
|---|
| Taiwan MND official reports/budget | A-2 | Official; some specs classified or aspirational |
| NCSIST promotional material | A-2 | Official manufacturer; displays at Taipei Aerospace & Defense |
| SIPRI | B-1 | Limited Taiwan data due to political sensitivity |
| Jane's | B-2 to B-3 | Coverage improving; some specs estimated |
| Taiwan defense media (Up Media, Liberty Times defense) | C-2 | Well-sourced but occasionally speculative |
| Social media OSINT | D-2 | Useful for tracking exercises and test flights |