The first batch of Altius-600M attack drones purchased from the US was delivered to the military on Monday, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said yesterday.
Koo yesterday afternoon met 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, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
The Altius-600M can fire from multiple types of vehicles on land, air or water, as well as hover in the air for up to four hours, travel 440km, scout battle zones, relay communications, counteract electronic warfare and can be equipped with high-explosive anti-tank missiles. It is also reuseable and recyclable.
Photo courtesy of Minister of National Defense
The drones are widely used on modern battlefields, including for scouting and communication, and have become indispensable for asymmetric battle, Koo said.
As threats grow, the military continues to procure reconnaissance and attack drones to meet its defense needs — a commitment reflected in the drone delivery, he said.
The delivery also underscores the significance of the Taiwan-US partnership in countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring regional peace and stability, he said.
Photo: Bloomberg
The military will continue to build up its asymmetric defense capabilities, he said.
The Defense Innovation Office, established in February last year, assesses applications for new technologies and products, which are then included in the military’s plans to bolster combat capabilities, Koo said.
He encouraged military personnel to discard traditional ways of thinking about warfare and embrace technological innovation to deter attacks and protect Taiwan.
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