TAIPEI, — May 17, 2026 : Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has released newly declassified footage showing the operational deployment of a remotely operated T75 20mm autocannon system with the Republic of China Army (ROCA) Dongyin Area Command, marking the first public view of the weapon in active service on Taiwan’s northernmost outlying islands.
The footage was featured in the Military News Agency’s (MNA) latest episode of the National Defense Online programme and highlighted the system’s role in coastal security and force protection operations on Dongyin Island, part of the strategically important Matsu archipelago located approximately 50 kilometers from China’s Fujian Province.
Remote Weapon System
The remotely operated weapon station is built around Taiwan’s domestically produced T75 20mm revolver cannon and forms part of the military’s short-range automated defense network designed for coastal and near-shore operations.
Developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the system is available in two primary configurations: the XTR-101 single-barrel variant and the XTR-102 twin-barrel version. Shore-based installations are generally designated as XTR-102A1, while naval versions are identified as XTR-102A2.
The system integrates electro-optical (EO) sensors, imagery identification systems, and automated target-tracking functions, enabling operators to monitor and engage threats remotely from protected positions. A single operator can control multiple cannons simultaneously, reducing troop exposure during combat and surveillance missions.
Technical Capabilities
According to defense information released by Taiwan, the system has an effective engagement range of approximately 2,000 meters and is designed to counter low-altitude and short-range threats in coastal environments.
The weapon station provides 360-degree continuous traverse capability and elevation angles ranging from -15 degrees to +85 degrees, allowing engagement of both aerial and surface targets. Depending on configuration, the autocannon can achieve firing rates between 400 and 1,200 rounds per minute per barrel.
The T75 autocannon itself is manufactured by the MND’s 205th Arsenal and is derived from the American M39 rotary cannon design. Chambered in 20×102mm ammunition, the weapon has been adapted for remote operation to improve survivability and operational efficiency in exposed island defense positions.
Deployment on Dongyin Island
Taiwan’s military procured six sets of the short-range automated defense systems in the early 2020s under a program valued at approximately NT$725 million (US$23.9 million). The systems were designed for flexible deployment across land-based sites, military vehicles, and naval vessels.
Deployment of the systems on Dongyin Island was completed by the end of 2022 as part of broader efforts to strengthen defenses across Taiwan’s offshore territories. Dongyin is regarded as one of Taiwan’s most strategically significant forward positions due to its proximity to mainland China and its location near key maritime approaches in the Taiwan Strait.
The newly released footage showed fixed shore-based installations integrated into the Dongyin Area Command’s defensive infrastructure and routine force protection operations.
Role in Taiwan’s Coastal Defense
Taiwanese defense officials said the automated systems are intended to counter asymmetric and low-altitude threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fast attack boats, small surface craft, and low-flying aircraft operating near coastal areas.
The deployment also supports Taiwan’s broader layered defense strategy for the Matsu Islands, complementing existing defensive assets and future deployments of longer-range systems such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
The release of the footage reflects Taiwan’s continuing emphasis on indigenous defense production and the integration of automated weapon systems into frontline units tasked with protecting the country’s outlying territories.
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