Taiwan unveils close-range helicopter-like drone to keep an eye on threats from mainland China

Name: Taiwan showcases combat drones as self-ruled island aims to bolster defences
Uploaded: 2022-11-16T05:43:55.000Z
Duration: 2 min 20 s
Description: Taiwan showcases combat drones as self-ruled island aims to bolster defences

More than 110 operators are being trained to remotely control the drones, which can vertical take-off and land without a runway

During demonstration event, island’s top weapons builder displayed other UAVs, including a new stealth drone still under design

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The helicopter drone is put through its paces at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taichung, Taiwan, on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Lawrence Chungin Taipei

Published: 1:43pm, 16 Nov 2022Updated: 5:15pm, 16 Nov 2022

Taiwan has unveiled its newly built helicopter-like drone designed for battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance missions amid growing military threats from Beijing.

In a display on Tuesday, the government-funded Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology – the island’s top weapons builder – also introduced several other types of unmanned aerial vehicles, including a stealth UAV which is still under development.

The production of the new close-range tactical rotary-wing drone is aimed at boosting the military’s combat readiness through a real-time image transfer system and precision scouting, according to institute officials. It is tentatively dubbed Capricorn and has a flight time of up to 60 minutes and a remote-control distance of up to 30km (18.6 miles).

“The drone is produced for the newly established joint combat units of the army for near-sea and urban reconnaissance,” said Chi Li-pin, director of aerospace at the institute.

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Taiwan showcases combat drones as self-ruled island aims to bolster defences

According to the military, the army budgeted NT$780 million (US$25 million) to buy 50 drone sets, including remote controls. Some 14 sets have already been delivered this year.

To allow the military to remotely control the drones, which could perform vertical take-off and landing without a runway, the institute had helped train more than 110 operators, Chi said.

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