Taiwan is expected to begin testing of a cutting-edge high-energy laser system this year, thanks to breakthroughs made possible by “international friends,” a senior official said on Tuesday.
The National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) last year completed research on a low-powered version of a vehicle-mounted laser defense system.
Significant advancements are expected in the coming months, with a 50kW high-energy vehicle-mounted laser expected to enter testing later this year.
Photo courtesy of Kord Technologies
The US military last year delivered four Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) prototype systems to the Fourth Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
According to the US Army, the 50kW mountable laser weapon is able to neutralize aerial threats through a quiet electronic attack, powered by an onboard thermal and power system that dissipates heat and recharges its batteries.
Earlier this week, US defense media reported that the four DE M-SHORAD prototypes had been sent to the Middle East to test “real-world applicability” operating in dusty conditions.
Many countries are racing to develop 50kW laser weapons systems, which are promising as low-cost defense against drones and slow aircraft.
The NCSIST keeps hitting technological milestones in a short amount of time thanks to guidance from international friends, a senior official with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.
The 50kW version is already suitable for combat, and could hopefully begin orders soon as another key weapons system that is produced domestically, the official added.
Eight Chinese naval vessels and 24 military aircraft were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait between 6am yesterday and 6am today, the Ministry of National Defense said this morning. The aircraft entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones, the ministry said. The armed forces responded with mission aircraft, naval vessels and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor the situation, it added. Eight naval vessels, one official ship and 36 aircraft sorties were spotted in total, the ministry said.
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The Ministry of National Defense yesterday reported the return of large-scale Chinese air force activities after their unexplained absence for more than two weeks, which had prompted speculation regarding Beijing’s motives. China usually sends fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft around the nation on a daily basis. Interruptions to such routine are generally caused by bad weather. The Ministry of National Defense said it had detected 26 Chinese military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait over the previous 24 hours. It last reported that many aircraft on Feb. 25, when it spotted 30 aircraft, saying Beijing was carrying out another “joint combat
Taiwan successfully defended its women’s 540 kilogram title and won its first-ever men’s 640 kg title at the 2026 World Indoor Tug of War Championships in Taipei yesterday. In the women’s event, Taiwan’s eight-person squad reached the final following a round-robin preliminary round and semifinals featuring teams from Ukraine, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Basque Country and South Korea. In the finals, they swept the Basque team 2-0, giving the team composed mainly of National Taiwan Normal University students and graduates its second championship in a row, and its fourth in five years. Team captain
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