On Saturday, November 25th, Taiwan announced mass production of the TC-2 air defense system, utilizing the Sky Sword II missile, was fully underway. After initial testing in March fell short of Army requirements, the system successfully passed a second evaluation in July, leading to approval for large-scale production. The Army aims to acquire 30 mobile missile launchers, six combat control centers, six phased-array radar systems, and 246 Sky Sword II missiles, with an estimated cost of NT$8.8 billion (US$278 million). Developed by Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the Sky Sword II missile boasts a range of up to 15 kilometers. The TC-2 system, alongside the U.S.-made Avenger missile system, aims to address gaps in Taiwan's air defense through a "layered interception" strategy, with each system capable of firing between 16 and 20 Sky Sword II missiles.
On Saturday, November 25th, Russia conducted its largest drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, since the beginning of the war, launching nearly 75 Shahed drones from two directions. The attack was described as a "record number" of drones by Ukraine's Air Force. While 71 drones were intercepted across six regions, most were stopped in the Kyiv region. The defense involved anti-aircraft missile troops, tactical aviation, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units. The city's military administration urged residents to take cover during the attack. This marks the fourth drone assault on Kyiv in the month. Two people were injured, and several locations, including residential buildings, caught fire.The country is preparing for the possibility of a downed power grid, with increased demand for off-the-grid solutions and backup generators.
On Monday, November 27th, Two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen toward a U.S. warship in the Gulf of Aden. The incident occurred after the U.S. Navy responded to a distress call from the Central Park, a commercial tanker that had been seized by armed individuals. The USS Mason, a guided-missile destroyer, and allied ships intervened, demanding the release of the vessel. Subsequently, five armed individuals attempted to flee but surrendered after pursuit by the USS Mason. Later, two ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen towards the USS Mason and Central Park, landing in the Gulf of Aden without causing damage or injuries. The tanker, managed by Zodiac Maritime, appears to have links to an Israeli-owned company. The Houthi forces had previously issued warnings against ships associated with Israel in the Red Sea.
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