Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has confirmed the delivery of the first batch of Altius-600M unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), marking a key step in the island’s efforts to modernize its drone capabilities amid growing security concerns in the region.
Li-hsiung Koo (right) and Palmer Luckey
The delivery, which took place on August 4, was followed by a meeting between Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Li-hsiung Koo and Palmer Luckey, founder of U.S.-based Anduril Industries, the manufacturer of the Altius-600M. The meeting was held on August 5 in Taipei, where Minister Koo acknowledged the rapid timeline of the project, which was launched in 2024.
Designed for multi-domain operations, the Altius-600M can be deployed from land, sea, or air platforms. It has a loiter time of up to four hours and a maximum range of approximately 440 kilometers. In addition to reconnaissance and communication roles, the system is equipped to resist electronic warfare and carry high-explosive anti-tank munitions.
Minister Koo described drones as a critical component of contemporary warfare, especially in asymmetric scenarios, and reiterated that the MND will continue to procure both surveillance and attack drones to meet operational requirements. He also highlighted the broader context of Taiwan-U.S. defense cooperation, referring to the transfer as a reflection of shared interests in maintaining regional stability and adopting emerging technologies.
According to previous statements by the MND, Taiwan's military is planning to acquire around 50,000 drones over the next two years. The Defense Innovation Office will continue evaluating new systems and technologies with the aim of integrating them into national defense strategies.
During a separate address on August 6, Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te confirmed that defense spending will exceed 3% of the island’s GDP. The increase is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen self-defense and resilience in light of evolving threats.
Between 2015 and 2025, the U.S. executive branch has notified Congress of over $28 billion in approved weapons sales to Taiwan, according to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service.
