Taiwan secures new US agreement for thousands of ALTIUS loitering munitions

Taiwan has secured a new agreement with the United States to purchase thousands of ALTIUS loitering munitions, in a move intended to strengthen the defensive capabilities of its Armed Forces. Announced by the Ministry of National Defence, the contract covers 2,032 systems valued at NT$26.9 billion (approximately USD 850 million).

The deal comprises 1,554 ALTIUS-700M units and 478 ALTIUS-600ISR systems, both produced by US company Anduril Industries. These systems form part of Taipei's plans to expand its asymmetric warfare capabilities through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Taiwan had already progressed with the ALTIUS 600

The latest contract builds on a programme through which Taiwan had already begun acquiring US loitering munitions. In December 2025, the US Government approved the potential sale to Taiwan of thousands of ALTIUS 600 and 700 systems.

That proposed transaction was estimated to be worth USD 1.1 billion and fell under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The approval also demonstrated Taipei's interest in expanding its asymmetric capabilities through a combination of domestically produced and foreign unmanned systems.

In March 2026, the Ministry of National Defence confirmed to the Legislative Yuan that it had received the 291 ALTIUS-600M systems purchased previously. Anduril Industries began delivering that batch in August 2025, around 14 months after the agreement was first notified.

The ALTIUS-600M passed a live-fire test

The integration of these systems took another step forward on 3 June 2026. On that date, the Taiwan Army used ALTIUS-600M loitering munitions against maritime targets for the first time during a live-fire exercise.

According to information released about the activity, the systems achieved a 100% hit rate. The test involved searching for, identifying and engaging targets at sea as part of an exercise intended to broaden coastal defence capabilities.

The exercise was conducted by the UAV Battalion of the 21st Artillery Command of the Taiwan Army (ROCA). Alongside the ALTIUS-600M, Taiwanese forces used FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles against maritime targets during the Tianma exercise.

The new ALTIUS contract includes two variants

The ALTIUS-700M is the strike variant included in the new agreement. Weighing 29.5 kilograms, the system is designed to carry a warhead for use against armoured vehicles, fortified positions and other land targets.

Meanwhile, the ALTIUS-600ISR performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties. According to published specifications, this version can remain airborne for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

The contract announced by the Ministry of National Defence amounts to NT$26.9 billion (approximately USD 850 million). Most of this value relates to the drones, their associated systems, launch structures and other components included in the procurement.

Deliveries of the new systems are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026. However, the schedule calls for deliveries to be completed in June 2033, meaning their introduction will take place over several years.