Taiwan validates joint precision-strike kill chain in tri-service live-fire exercise

Taiwan's in-service M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) was fired as part of a joint precision-strike exercise focused on validating a networked sensor-to-shooter architecture linking ISR platforms, attack drones, and missile forces. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The Republic of China Armed Forces conducted a three-day exercise named the ‘2026 Tri-Service Joint Precision Missile Launch' at Jiupeng in Pingtung County from 16 to 18 September. The exercise brought together missile units from the army, navy, and air force to test joint targeting and strike procedures.

During a visit to the exercise on 18 September, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said, “This is the first time the military has incorporated multiple types of attack drones into joint operational exercises.”

He added that “the co-ordinated use of unmanned vehicles and traditional weapons” reflected the military's efforts to accelerate the development of integrated combat capabilities in response to evolving warfare requirements.

The state-owned Military News Agency (MNA) reported on 19 September that the exercise integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assets with missile forces in a series of live-fire scenarios. These included joint air-defence, maritime-air co-ordination, and coastal-strike missions.

According to MNA, the drills validated the military's kill chain, encompassing intelligence collection, target acquisition, identification, target allocation, and precision engagement. Participating units deployed several ISR assets, including shipborne radars, air force battle-management systems, mobile radar vehicles, and UAVs.

“This tri-service joint precision-missile firing exercise comprehensively validated kill-chain procedures through realistic training, including intelligence collection and target acquisition, command-and-control, target allocation, and precision strikes,” MNA said. “The co-ordinated employment of manned and unmanned weapon systems further enhanced joint operational command-and-control and precision-strike capabilities, strengthening Taiwan's overall defence capability.”