Taiwan Develops plywood-built Kamikaze Drone

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense has introduced a new multi-role unmanned aerial system developed at the state-run Plant 202 in collaboration with private-sector manufacturers.

The program, aimed at meeting the demands of asymmetric warfare, emphasizes mass production, low cost, and operational versatility.

According to National Defense Online, the lineup includes a fixed-wing strike drone designed for ramming explosive attacks against long-range targets.

One of the most notable designs is a lightweight, plywood-built loitering munition, featuring a rectangular airframe made from durable yet inexpensive wood panels. The ministry notes that this approach accelerates manufacturing and reduces unit cost — a method already employed by both Ukraine and Russia in ongoing combat operations.

The new systems cover reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike roles, enabling cross-domain cooperation between military branches.

This includes bomber-style multirotor platforms capable of dropping mines and munitions on enemy positions.

Officials stressed that the program is tailored to the tactical needs of Taiwan’s armed forces, with an emphasis on mobility, concealment, and integration of both reconnaissance and strike functions into single platforms.

All drone models have completed a full cycle of field testing and functional evaluation with military units.

The ministry says the project is a key step toward expanding Taiwan’s indigenous defense capabilities, ensuring its forces have rapid-access solutions for emerging threats while maintaining cost efficiency in production.