Taiwan Army Introduces Stinger Missile Simulators for Drone Defense Training

At a media open house in Tainan, Taiwan's Army Artillery Training Command unveiled training simulators for both man-portable and dual-mounted Stinger missile systems supplied by the United States. The man-portable simulator reproduces the near 16-kilogram weight, emphasizing physical strength and balance, while the dual-mounted version links to a screen showing a virtual Jiupeng Bay environment where trainees can track and lock onto airborne threats, including drones.

Cadets undergo 30-45 days of instruction, with future instructors completing double that time, and refresher programs run quarterly or yearly for one to two months. Officials said the simulators reduce live-fire costs and prepare soldiers for exercises such as the Shen Kung drill held in July. The equipment arrived under a U.S. military assistance package after the Biden administration transferred a few dozen Stinger launchers in 2023.