NCSIST Kuai Chi

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗

The Kuai Chi (快奇無人艇) is an unmanned surface vehicle produced by the Taiwanese National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). It 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.[1]

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.[2]

History

The development of the Kuai Chi was considered especially sensitive with few details released.[3]

In April 2025 a Kuai Chi was spotted undergoing testing off Suao Township.[4]

The Kuai Chi was tested at the Jiupeng Military Base in August 2025.[2]

In August 2025, Taiwan decided to purchase 1,320 Kuai Chi maritime drones, with deliveries over five years[5].

The Kuai Chi was displayed at the 2025 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE).[6][1][7]

Mass production of the Kuai Chi is scheduled to begin in 2026.[8]

See also

References

  1. Arthur, Gordon. "At Taiwan arms show, vendors bank on cheap weapons for big damage". defensenews.com. Defense News. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  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.
  3. 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.
  4. Chen, Kelvin. "NCSIST tests attack drone boat in northeast Taiwan". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  5. "À Taïwan, le wargame Aquatic Tiger montre les atouts et les limites des drones sous-marins". meta-defense.fr. March 26, 2026.
  6. Kadidal, Akhil. "TADTE 2025: Taiwan develops new USV as counter-invasion weapon". janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  7. Hsu, Tso-Juei. "Taiwan showcases new 'Kaui-Chi' attack USV at TADTE 2025". navalnews.com. Naval News. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  8. "Explainer: How Taiwan builds its defences amid China's ban on dual-use exports". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2025.