TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has developed several types of low-cost air defense munitions, according to a military source.

There are two main systems, the source said, per Liberty Times. One is specifically designed to counter saturation attacks by drones, while the other is intended to respond to enemy missile and long-range rocket attacks. Both versions have made progress in development and are expected to undergo testing in the first half of next year, the source said.

NCSIST also previously signed an agreement with Canadian firm AirShare to introduce a ribbon-stabilized submunition system. The system is based on NCSIST’s Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System platform and incorporates a low-cost ribbon-stabilized submunition developed by AirShare that includes a parachute. 

The system eliminates drones by using ribbon strands that entangle the propellers of enemy drones, causing them to lose flight capability. It then uses a parachute to slow the drone’s descent, reducing damage upon impact, the source said. This approach provides a cost-effective and safe recovery method while helping protect military forces and critical infrastructure.

Taiwan has drawn lessons from the Russia–Ukraine war and the US–Iran conflict, which have highlighted the importance of cost-effective weapons, per Liberty Times.