NCSIST Kuai Chi
| NCSIST Kuai Chi | |
|---|---|
| Type | Unmanned surface vehicle |
| Place of origin | Taiwan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology |
The Kuai Chi (Chinese: 快奇無人艇) is an unmanned surface vehicle produced by the Taiwanese National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
History
[edit]The development of the Kuai Chi was considered especially sensitive with few details released.[1]
In April 2025 a Kuai Chi was spotted undergoing testing off Suao Township.[2]
The Kuai Chi was tested at the Jiupeng Military Base in August 2025.[3]
In August 2025, Taiwan decided to purchase 1,320 Kuai Chi maritime drones, with deliveries over five years[4].
The Kuai Chi was displayed at the 2025 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE).[5][6][7]
Mass production of the Kuai Chi is scheduled to begin in 2026.[8]
Design
[edit]The Kuai Chi has a displacement of approximately 3 tons and a top speed of greater than 40 knots. It is designed to be transportable within a 40ft shipping container.[6]
The Kuai Chi is designed to be armed with NCSIST Ching Feng I FPV suicide drones and receive targeting information from the NCSIST Albatross II. The vessel itself can also be equipped with a large warhead for use in an impact attack role.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ ALTMAN, HOWARD; ROGOWAY, TYLER. "Taiwan To Hold Major Drone Boat Test Exercise As It Falls Behind In Fielding This Critical Capability". twz.com. The War Zone. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ↑ Chen, Kelvin. "NCSIST tests attack drone boat in northeast Taiwan". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- 1 2 Tien-pin, Lo; Tu, Aaron; Hetherington, William. "Military to procure 1,320 Kuai Chi USVs, source says". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ↑ "À Taïwan, le wargame Aquatic Tiger montre les atouts et les limites des drones sous-marins". meta-defense.fr. March 26, 2026.
- ↑ Kadidal, Akhil. "TADTE 2025: Taiwan develops new USV as counter-invasion weapon". janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- 1 2 Arthur, Gordon. "At Taiwan arms show, vendors bank on cheap weapons for big damage". defensenews.com. Defense News. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ↑ Hsu, Tso-Juei. "Taiwan showcases new 'Kaui-Chi' attack USV at TADTE 2025". navalnews.com. Naval News. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ↑ "Explainer: How Taiwan builds its defences amid China's ban on dual-use exports". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2025.