U.S. attack drones delivered to Taiwan's Army: Minister

Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Tuesday that the first batch of Altius-600M attack drones purchased from the United States was delivered to Taiwan's Army on Monday.

Koo met Tuesday afternoon with Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, which manufactures the drones, and thanked the company for its swift efforts to enhance the military's defensive and offensive capabilities, according to a news release by the Ministry of National Defense.

The Altius-600M is able to fire from multiple types of vehicles on land, air or water, as well as hover in the air for four hours, travel 440 kilometers, scout battlezones, relay communications, counteract electronic warfare, and even be equipped with high-explosive anti-tank missiles. It is also reuseable and recyclable.

Koo said drones are widely used on modern battlefields, including for scouting and communication, and have become indispensable for asymmetric battle.

As threats from the enemy grow, the army continues to procure reconnaissance and attack drones to meet its defense needs -- a commitment reflected in the recent drone delivery, Koo said.

He added that the delivery also underscores the significance of the Taiwan-U.S. partnership in countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring regional peace and stability.

Koo said the Army will carry on its build-up of asymmetric and resilient defense power.

The Defense Innovation Office established in February 2024 will assess applications for new technology and products, which are then included in the Army's plans to build combat power, Koo said.

Koo also encouraged military personnel to discard traditional ways of thinking and embrace challenges and technological innovation to create deterrence and protect Taiwan.