Taiwan's 10th Army Corps Achieves 100% Hit Rate in TOW Missile Live-Fire Drill

(CNA, by Wu Shu-wei, Taichung, 9th) The Army's Tenth Army Corps conducted the "Year 115 Heavy Artillery Shooting and New Weaponry Replacement Verification" firing exercise today around the north and south banks of the Dajia River estuary in Taichung. The Tenth Army Corps stated that 30 TOW 2A and 9 TOW 2B missiles were fired, achieving a 100% hit rate, demonstrating the fruitful results of the officers' and soldiers' diligent training and verifying the combat effectiveness of the weapon systems.

The Army's Tenth Army Corps today conducted a heavy artillery and new weaponry verification firing drill. It simulated a scenario where PLA amphibious forces attempt to invade the central region, verifying the effectiveness of joint firepower and the kill chain through realistic training. The exercise aimed to delay and weaken the enemy invading Dajia Beach, conducting live-fire shooting with multiple weapons including the Thunder 2000, M109A2, M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, 155mm howitzers, 120mm mortars, and TOW missile vehicles (2A, 2B). In the morning, the Army invited the media to cover the live-fire situations of the Thunder 2000 and M109A2 self-propelled howitzers.

In the afternoon, the Tenth Army Corps issued a press release stating that 30 TOW 2A and 9 TOW 2B missiles were fired at the Dajia River estuary today, with a 100% hit rate. This demonstrated the fruitful results of the officers' and soldiers' diligent training and verified the combat effectiveness of the weapon systems.

The Tenth Army Corps stated that before the firing, the soldiers followed procedures to confirm the status of the missiles and launch systems item by item. Subsequently, after the firing commander gave the order, the soldiers quickly completed the engagement procedures, showcasing their proficient weapon handling skills and validating the unit's training effectiveness.

The Tenth Army Corps pointed out that the firing exercise was based on a scenario simulating an enemy amphibious force attempting to invade the central region. First, the Thunder 2000 multiple rocket launcher system initiated area suppression on Baishatun Beach, followed by organic artillery such as M109A2, M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, and 155mm howitzers conducting key area fire annihilation, effectively denying and attriting enemy combat power on Jianan Beach. Subsequently, TOW missile vehicles and 120mm mortars continued to suppress the penetrating enemy with firepower, enhancing overall combat capabilities.

According to public information, compared to the direct-fire TOW 2A, the TOW 2B has a "top-attack" capability and uses more advanced wireless guidance, no longer limited by the TOW 2A's wire guidance. Its range exceeds 4,500 meters and it is primarily used to attack armored vehicles or bunkers and to destroy invading landing craft in anti-landing operations, which can strengthen local anti-landing and anti-armor defense capabilities. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150609