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Video Shows Taiwan Patriot Missile Exploding Seconds After Launch During Drill

Officials have launched a review with the cause still unconfirmed.

A Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) missile explodes a few seconds after launch during a firing exercise in southern Taiwan on August 20, 2025.

Overview

  • Taiwan’s military is investigating a reported Patriot PAC-2 failure during a live-fire exercise at Jiupeng in southern Taiwan.
  • Footage shared by the Taiwan ADIZ page and cited by Newsweek shows the missile breaking apart shortly after takeoff.
  • Local reports say one of two PAC-2s detonated about four seconds after launch, while a second missile fired without incident.
  • An Air Force statement said the exercise concluded and a military evaluation committee will review results, while photos showed PAC-2 and Sky Bow III launches.
  • China Times, echoed by Global Times, reported the missile was an older PAC-2 and said Taiwanese and U.S. sides are collecting data, as Taiwan transitions toward PAC-3 systems.