Air Force considers buying upgraded domestically made combat drone

Taipei, July 19 (CNA) Taiwan's Air Force is considering purchasing the latest version of the domestically developed Teng Yun 2 (騰雲) uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) after significant upgrades improved its performance, a source familiar with the matter told CNA on Sunday.

The Teng Yun 2, developed by Taiwan's top military research unit, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST), completed the military's required combat readiness evaluation in May 2024, the final step before a domestically developed weapons system can enter mass production.

According to the NCSIST, the drone is capable of autonomous takeoffs and landings, uses satellite navigation, and can remain airborne for nearly 24 hours.

Despite passing the certification process, the Air Force did not immediately place an order because its performance at the time did not fully meet service expectations, the source said, without providing further details.

Since then, the NCSIST has continued refining the Teng Yun 2, improving both its endurance and payload capacity.

The upgraded drone is now also powered by the same engine used in the U.S.-made MQ-9B SkyGuardian, the source said.

Following these enhancements, the Air Force is reassessing the possibility of procuring the Teng Yun 2. However, no decision has been made on the procurement timeline, budget allocation, or the number of aircraft to be acquired, the source added.

The Air Force said the domestically developed Teng Yun 2 would complement the U.S.-made MQ-9B SkyGuardian fleet in carrying out air surveillance and defense missions in Taiwan.

A separate source previously told CNA that testing of Taiwan's MQ-9B drones is already underway.

Taiwan ordered four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the United States in 2020 and delivery is scheduled in two batches in 2026 and 2027.

According to that source, military personnel and the manufacturer are currently assembling the aircraft before beginning flight tests.

The source did not specify how many MQ-9Bs were included in the first shipment delivered to Taiwan.