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Taiwan Secures US Deal for 1,000 Attack Drones Amid Rising PLA Drills.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has recently formalized an agreement with the U.S. government to purchase 1,000 attack drones, marking a significant step in the island’s defense strategy amid rising concerns over a potential military threat from China. Bloomberg reported on October 29, 2024, that this agreement was solidified with the signing of a "letter of offer and acceptance" at the end of September, which precedes the final contracts specifying exact quantities, financial terms, and delivery timelines.
US Army Exercise with a Switchblade Drone in July 2021 (Picture source: US DoD)
While the final contracts have yet to be signed, they are expected to be formalized in the coming weeks, according to informed industry sources who remain anonymous due to the unannounced nature of the transaction. A U.S. Department of State spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing sales to Taiwan.
Attack drones have become increasingly central in modern warfare. In Ukraine, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have ramped up their use of drones for reconnaissance and attacks, underscoring their effectiveness in active combat scenarios. Unmanned aerial vehicles were also deployed in an Iranian attack on Israel in April, reinforcing these systems as critical elements in contemporary military operations.
According to Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, Senior Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, this type of acquisition by Taiwan demonstrates "that both Taiwan and the United States are applying key lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and translating those lessons into future procurement decisions." Montgomery, who has visited Taiwan to assess its defense needs, views this agreement as a strategic move for the island as it seeks greater self-sufficiency in its deterrence capabilities.
In June, the U.S. Department of State had notified Congress of its approval for an advanced drone sale to Taiwanese authorities. This arrangement included 291 Anduril Altius 600M-V systems, valued at approximately $300 million, and 720 AeroVironment Switchblade 300 drones, “B” model, with an estimated value of $60 million.
Anduril’s Altius 600M-V is a multi-mission aerial vehicle capable of conducting various operations with a single control unit. (Picture source: Anduril)
Anduril’s Altius 600M-V is a multi-mission aerial vehicle capable of conducting various operations with a single control unit. With a flight time of nearly two hours and a range of 160 km, the system allows an operator to command multiple drones simultaneously, making it particularly well-suited for large-scale operations requiring precise and coordinated control.
The AeroVironment Switchblade 300 model weighs 1.8 kg and is specifically designed for targeting missions, capable of hovering over a target for up to 20 minutes. It is equipped with a specialized anti-armor warhead and has a range of 30 km, making it ideal for precise, targeted strikes.
Neither Taiwan’s office in Washington nor the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council commented on this acquisition, which for Taiwan, aligns with an ongoing commitment to bolster its defenses amid increasing regional tensions. These recent agreements between Taiwan and the United States highlight the strategic importance placed on attack drones as the landscape of warfare evolves rapidly, with geopolitical factors heavily influencing defense procurement decisions.