Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced Tuesday the successful live-fire debut of its domestically developed Land Sword II surface-to-air missile system.
The missile exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Republic of China Army (ROC Army) and showcased the capability of the Land Sword II—also known as the TC-2—to intercept a range of aerial threats, including drones and cruise missiles.
At 9:34 a.m., units from the 58th Artillery Command launched two TC-2 interceptors, followed shortly by a third missile from the 43rd Artillery Command. All three successfully hit their drone targets, according to military officials. The test underscored the system’s precision and operational readiness.
Colonel He Hsiang-i, deputy commander of the 43rd Artillery Command, said the event was designed to validate training standards and force posture. “Combat readiness is routine, and training is actual combat,” he said in a statement following the launch.
Developed as a replacement for the aging U.S.-supplied MIM-72 Chaparral system, the Land Sword II provides short-range air defense using technology derived from Taiwan’s indigenous Sky Sword missile series. Each system consists of four mobile vehicles, including a radar unit, launcher, command post, and ammunition transporter.
The missile itself carries an effective range of approximately 15 kilometers and can operate in adverse weather conditions. Designed for versatility, the TC-2 system is capable of engaging fast-moving aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and incoming cruise missiles.
According to Taiwan’s defense authorities, the Land Sword II fills a critical gap in the island’s layered air defense network by enhancing mobility and reaction time, especially against low-flying threats in coastal and forward areas.
The deployment comes at a time of heightened tension in the Taiwan Strait, with Taipei continuing to prioritize air defense enhancements amid ongoing regional security concerns.
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