Story perspectives

Taiwan conducts first joint attack-drone drill, launches missiles

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 12:07 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President William Lai Ching-te oversaw missile and drone drills in southern Taiwan.
The three-day exercise marked the first joint combat use of multiple attack-drone types.
Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and Lockheed Martin HIMARS rockets were launched.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo and Ocean Affairs Council head Kuan Bi-ling inspected the drills.
The drills precede a U.S.–China summit on Sept. 24, and President Donald Trump postponed a $14 billion arms package after May summit.

History

Historical Context

During the 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, Beijing fired DF-15 missiles and the United States sent the carrier groups USS Nimitz and USS Independence, while President Lee Teng-hui mobilized forces amid his election. The March-scale drills involved roughly 150,000 PLA troops. Today, President William Lai and Defense Minister Wellington Koo conduct missile and drone exercises that echo that 1996 show of force.

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Story summary

President William Lai Ching-te oversaw missile and drone drills in southern Taiwan.
The three-day exercise marked the first joint combat use of multiple attack-drone types.
Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and Lockheed Martin HIMARS rockets were launched.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo and Ocean Affairs Council head Kuan Bi-ling inspected the drills.
The drills precede a U.S.–China summit on Sept. 24, and President Donald Trump postponed a $14 billion arms package after May summit.

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