The military today confirmed orders for six types of commercial drones for military use, some of which could enter service by the end of next year at the earliest.
The military last year announced plans to purchase 1,000 drones using components already available through civilian sources.
It made the decision after observing the tactical importance of reconnaissance and attack drones in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
After more than a year of administrative processes, the Ministry of National Defense today announced the tender of six types of drones at a cost of NT$6.89 billion (US$215.5 million).
The drone types as named in the government procurement system include “surveillance and reconnaissance,” “land-based surveillance and reconnaissance,” “ship-mounted surveillance and reconnaissance,” and three types of micro drones, including “target acquisition” and “tactical.”
The first type would be acquired by the ministry, while the land and ship-based drones would be purchased by the navy, and the micro drones would be coordinated by the army.
The reconnaissance and ship-based drones would be delivered by the end of next year.
Those purchased by the army are scheduled for delivery by September 2027, and the land-based drones would not be delivered until October 2028.
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