Taiwan test-fired an array of missiles Tuesday in its largest live ammunition exercise since Ma Ying-jeou took position as regional leader in May 2008, but nearly a third of the weapons failed to hit their targets.

A Taiwanese-built Tien Kung missile is launched from the Chiupeng missile base in southern Pingtung county during a live-fire drill Tuesday.

The move came just days after the mainland confirmed the existence of its first stealth fighter jet.

A total of 19 surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles were fired Tuesday from a military base in Chiupeng, southern Taiwan. Among them, six were off their marks.

Seventeen types of missiles were test-fired Tuesday, including the region's self-developed Tien Kung, or "Sky Bow," surface-to-air missile, the US-made Hawk surface-to-air missile and the vehicle-launched Tien-chien I, local military authorities said.

Ma, who observed the test, told reporters that he was not satisfied with the accuracy of the missiles, urging the military to improve future results.

However, Pan Kung-hsiao, with Taiwan's air force, said the results were within expectations despite room for improvement, the Taiwan-based United Evening News reported.

Pan also attributed the failures to control and detonation problems.

Wang Mingzhi, a military strategist at the People's Liberation Army Air Force Command College, told the Global Times that a failure rate of 30 percent is not common, casting doubt on the quality of the missiles and their handling.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's live-fire military exercise has drawn considerable attention, as it came on the day Hu departed for a state visit to the US.

Ma denied that the test had anything to do with the trip and said the move didn't aim to spark an arms race, as the missiles are all defensive weapons.