Modern history
In 2014 NCSIST was made an administrative corporation by the government, ending its period of secrecy and opening up the opportunity to partner with foreign corporations and export equipment internationally.[12] The new corporate Board of Directors had their first meeting on April 18, 2014.[7] The transition removed a number of restrictions for employees who were now no longer members of the military.[13]
Due to the end of the US Navy's support of the SM-1 missile system NCSIST has taken over support for the system including production of replacement rocket motors.[4] The same approach was taken for the SM-1's Mark 13 missile launcher.[2]
In 2016 NCSIST was awarded a $16.7m contract to carry out a life extension program for the Republic of China Air Force's stocks of MICA and Magic 2 air-to-air missiles. These two missiles arm the ROCAF's Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft.[14]
In 2017 NCSIST announced the commencement of "Project Vega" (織女星計畫) with the goal of producing an advanced domestic fighter as a successor to the F-CK-1. Development was to be split into two parts, the overall design and the engine production, with production to start in 2027. The engine has been dubbed F125XX and is expected to generate 16,400 lbf (73 kN). In 2021 NCSIST stated that work on both parts of the project had progressed ahead of schedule and would be completed by 2024.[15]
In 2017 NCIST exhibited again at International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi after a twelve-year absence. They exhibited 39 items.[16]
In the mid-2010s NCSIST partnered with AIDC and the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) to create an advanced jet trainer based on the F-CK-1. AIDC is the prime contractor on the project with NCSIST taking a supporting role. Originally designated the XT-5 Blue Magpie but ruled out as the T-5 Brave Eagle the aircraft is based on the two-seat version of the F-CK-1 but with non-afterburning engines, greater fuel capacity, more stable wing profile, and the removal of the internal gun. The first of four prototypes, designated A1, was rolled out in September 2019.[17] As of end of 2023 31 Brave Eagle planes have been developed or evaluated.[18] Total order is 66 planes.[19]
NCSIST is participating in the development of the first domestic Taiwanese AUV.[20] In 2019 NCSIST launched an 80-ton 28m long high speed catamaran research and test vessel named the Glorious Star (光榮之星). Built in Lungteh Shipbuilding's Yilan County shipyard the purpose of the vessel is to shorten the research and development process for naval weapon systems.[21]
In 2019 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen ordered the NCSIST to accelerate mass production of the TK-3 and HF-3 in response to increasing Chinese military power and bellicosity. In addition to stepping up missile production the President also ordered NCSIST leadership to focus building up their talent pool and increase partnerships with academia, industry and government at home and abroad.[22] Mass production of the long-range Yun Feng supersonic cruise missile began in 2019.[23]
In 2019 NCSIST opened Taiwan's first national unmanned aerial vehicle test site in Miaoli County. The test site is managed in partnership by NCSIST, the Miaoli County government, and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan). The site features a 20m runway and is rated for testing UAVs up to 150 kg in weight.[24] They also entered into an agreement with Asustek Computer Inc to collaborate on cloud-based storage, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technology.[25]
In November 2019 NCSIST tested a new short range anti-ship missile from the Glorious Star which while weighting significantly less than the Hsiung Feng II is said to have the same range.[26]
In March 2020 NCSIST conducted live fire daytime and nighttime artillery and UAV detection tests which were observed by a People's Liberation Army Navy Hsiang Yang Hung-class survey vessel.[27]
In April 2020 Chang Chung-Cheng (張忠誠) replaced Gao Chung-Hsing (杲中興) as the president of NCSIST. Gao had courted controversy by deliberately misinterpreting The Classified National Security Information Protection Act. Chang Chung-Cheng is a retired major general who served in the Combined Logistics Command as well as the Armaments Bureau.[1]
In July 2020 NCSIST was awarded a NT$4.8 billion (US$163 million) contract to produce 516 sets of secure high frequency radios for the Taiwanese military. The military side of the contract will be handled by the Navy with a deadline for delivery in late 2023.[28]
In 2021 the Taiwanese army ordered 50 drone helicopters from NCSIST for delivery by the first quarter 2022.[29]
In 2021 NCSIST deputy director Leng Chin-hsu told the Taiwanese Parliament that NCSIST had three previously undisclosed long range missiles in development. Defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng added that work by NCSIST on such weapons had never stopped and remained a priority.[30]
In May 2021 the Taiwanese navy ordered a new series of shore based medium-to-long range maritime surveillance radars from NCSIST.[31]
In August 2021 it was announced that an extended range version of the TC-2 had been ordered by the Air Force with 250-300 ordered from NCSIST at a unit cost of NT$30 million (US$1.07 million).[32]
In September 2021 a delegation of Taiwanese legislators paid a visit to NCSIST after approving a NT$240 billion (US$8.63 billion) special budget for domestic weapons procurement.[33]
In 2022 SIPRI placed NCSIST on the list of the 100 largest arms manufactures in the world, ranking 60th with a 2022 operating income of two billion USD and a projected 2023 operating income of four billion USD.[34]
In June 2025 NCSIST signed a deal with drone software company Auterion to integrate Auterion's software with NCSIST drones and partner company drones.[35][36] The deal potentially covers millions of drones.[37]
In July 2025 China placed NCSIST on an export control list however NCSIST is already required to avoid sourcing components from China by Taiwanese government regulations.[38][39]
At the 2025 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition NCIST announced partnership deals with six foreign defense companies.[40] This included jointly manufacturing missiles with Anduril Industries[41] working on air and missile defense integration with Northrop Grumman,[42] work with AeroVironment, Inc on autonomous systems,[43] and joint production with Kratos Defense of a multipurpose drone.[44]
