NCSIST Kestrel

Man-Portable Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

Taiwan | 2015

"The Kestrel is an indigenous man-portable, armor-defeating solution developed by the nation of Taiwan."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/21/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Official image from the office of the President; Public Release.

The constant threat of a Chinese amphibious invasion of the nation of Taiwan behooves the island nation to invest heavily in its defense forces. In some cases, the country is forced to design, develop, and manufacture homegrown solutions to modern battlefield problems and this has proven the case with the "Kestrel" shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcher. The weapon system entered service with the Republic of China Armed Forces in 2015 while design (and subsequent manufacturing) work by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) began in 2008 to help satisfy a standing requirement of the country's Marine Corps. This initiative then led to the finalized, trialed form of 2012.

To date, some 500 units have been delivered to Taiwan's defense forces which have operated the American M72 LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon) for decades.

On the whole, the Kestrel is a conventional, man-portable, shoulder-fired anti-tank solution. It requires Line-of-Sight (LoS) to the target, utilizing a High-Explosive, Anti-Tank (HEAT) projectile. Sighting is through an iron arrangement and the frame supports the mounting of more advanced optics for accurized fire at-range. Optimal range reaches out to 400 meters though this is variable depending on the projectile at play as a High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH) projectile is also available for the launcher (greater penetration at reduced engagement ranges).

The system is of 110mm caliber, weighs 11lb (5 kg), and can be operated by a single infantryman. Its general design is reminiscent of both early-form and modern day tubed tank-killing solution, being tubular in shape and open at both ends of the launch tube (made of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic = FRP). The projectile sits within the tube, exiting from the muzzle while exhausting from the rear of the unit. The ergonomically-angled pistol grip / trigger unit sits under the tube in the usual way with optics mounted over the frame.

Beyond its fielding by primary Taiwanese defense forces, the system is also on order / in service with the Coast Guard Administration.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the NCSIST Kestrel. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,100 mm
43.31 in
O/A Length

1,100 mm
43.31 in
Barrel Length

11.02 lb
5.00 kg
Weight

Semi-Automatic
Action

110mm
Caliber(s)

Single-Shot; Reusable Launch Tube.
Feed

Iron; Optional Optics.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the NCSIST Kestrel. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,315 ft
400.8 m | 438.3 yds
Max.Eff.Range

2
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the NCSIST Kestrel Man-Portable Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher family line.

Kestrel - Base Series Name.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the NCSIST Kestrel. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): National Ching-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) - Taiwan

[ Taiwan ]

1 / 1

Official image from the office of the President; Public Release.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

ANTI-TANK/MATERIAL

SPECIAL FORCES

ASYMMETRIC WARFARE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Going Further...
The NCSIST Kestrel Man-Portable Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher appears in the following collections:

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