Taiwan Flags Low Accuracy of US-Supplied Anti-Tank Missiles After Military Exercise

Taiwan’s recent military exercise, known as the Sky Horse drills, has brought to light significant concerns regarding the performance of US-supplied anti-tank weapons. During the exercise, the Taiwanese military fired seventeen BGM-71 TOW 2A missiles, but only seven of these hit their intended targets. This disappointing result has prompted a re-evaluation of the weapon system's effectiveness in combat scenarios.

The BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) missile system is a cornerstone of anti-tank warfare, renowned for its long service history and deployment in various conflicts worldwide. The TOW 2A variant, used by Taiwan in this exercise, is equipped with a tandem warhead designed to defeat modern armored threats, including those with reactive armor. Despite its advanced design, the recent exercise highlighted a troubling accuracy issue that could impact Taiwan’s defense strategy, especially as tensions in the region remain high.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) was quick to clarify that the exercise aimed to familiarize soldiers with the weapon system rather than test the missiles' performance. However, the low success rate of the TOW missiles has not gone unnoticed. The ministry has announced plans to hold an evaluation meeting to discuss the possible causes behind the poor performance and to determine whether the issue lies with the missiles themselves, the training of the operators, or a combination of both.

One of the primary concerns raised was the potential failure of the munitions. According to Major General Liu Sheen-mo, some missiles failed to acquire targets properly, while others dropped prematurely, suggesting that munition failure might have played a role in the exercise's outcome. This raises questions about the reliability of the TOW 2A missiles, especially as Taiwan awaits the delivery of 1,700 TOW 2B missiles, a more advanced variant expected by the end of the year. The TOW 2B is designed to attack armored vehicles from above, where their armor is weakest, and its effectiveness will be critical in ensuring Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.

Another factor that might have contributed to the low accuracy is the operators' familiarity with the system. Lt. Gen. Chen Chien-Yi, the Army Chief of Staff, noted that more than half of the soldiers participating in the drills had never operated the anti-tank missiles before. This inexperience could have led to mishandling or errors in the launch process, further reducing the success rate. Chen expressed hope that experienced military personnel would mentor their less experienced counterparts, ensuring better handling of the weapon system in future exercises.

Despite the disappointing results, the MND assured that no soldiers would be penalized for the weapon system’s performance during the exercise. The focus now shifts to understanding the root causes of the issues observed and making necessary adjustments before the new batch of missiles arrives. Taiwan’s military is keen on maintaining a robust defense posture, and ensuring the reliability of its weapon systems is a crucial part of that strategy.

As Taiwan continues to bolster its defenses amid increasing regional tensions, the reliability of its military hardware is of paramount importance. The upcoming evaluation meeting will be a critical step in addressing the shortcomings observed during the Sky Horse drills and ensuring that Taiwan’s armed forces are fully prepared for any potential threat.