TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Air Force conducted a missile drop test using an Indigenous Defense Fighter over eastern waters off Taitung on Wednesday.

The aircraft took off from Chihang Air Base and released a training version of the Hsiung Feng III missile, Liberty Times reported. It was equipped with GPS pods and high-speed cameras mounted on its wingtips to capture data on the missile’s aerodynamics during separation from the launcher. The test also verified the safety and performance of the release procedure and the aircraft’s pylons.

The Hsiung Feng III is a domestically developed supersonic anti-ship missile with a range of 150 to 200 kilometers. It is currently deployed aboard Navy vessels and on land-based mobile launchers.

An extended-range variant, capable of reaching up to 400 kilometers, was unveiled during the Han Kuang 41 military exercise.