Taiwan acquires 2,032 ALTIUS systems from the United States

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Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has signed a new agreement with the United States (US) to acquire thousands of ALTIUS loitering munitions. The official contract covers the purchase of 2,032 unmanned aerial systems for a total of 26,900 million Taiwanese dollars, equivalent to approximately 850 million US dollars (USD). Through this strategic move, the government in Taipei aims to expand its asymmetric warfare capabilities amid the regional security situation.

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The technology package specifically includes 1,554 units of the ALTIUS-700M variant and 478 of the ALTIUS-600ISR model. Both systems were developed by the US company Anduril Industries, which specialises in autonomous defence technology. This multi-billion-dollar acquisition demonstrates the Taiwanese Armed Forces’ priority of modernising their ranks with next-generation unmanned aerial platforms.

Progress in asymmetric defence programmes with the US

This latest order supplements a military rearmament programme already under way on the island. In December 2025, the US government authorised a potential sale of thousands of ALTIUS 600 and 700 systems to Taiwanese forces. That initial transaction was valued at around 1,100 million US dollars (USD) and was processed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

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Later, in March 2026, the Ministry of National Defence confirmed to the Legislative Yuan (LY) that it had received 291 units of the ALTIUS-600M model. Anduril Industries began delivering that specific batch in August 2025. The shipment took place around 14 months after the first official notification of the agreement between the two nations.

Live-fire tests against maritime targets

Operational validation of these advanced unmanned systems made clear progress on 3 June 2026. On that date, the Taiwan Army (ROCA) conducted its first live-fire exercise using ALTIUS-600M munitions against targets on the sea surface. Official reports stated that the systems achieved a 100% hit rate during the training manoeuvres.

The test included complex search, identification and simulated attack procedures in a coastal environment. The activity was coordinated by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Battalion of the Taiwan Army’s (ROCA) 21st Artillery Command. In addition, troops fired FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles at maritime targets during the exercise, named Tianma.

Technical specifications of the newly acquired ALTIUS variants

The ALTIUS-700M is the heavy attack variant included in the new military contract. The device has a total weight of 29.5 kilograms and carries a warhead designed to destroy armoured vehicles and fortified ground positions. The ALTIUS-600ISR version, by contrast, performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. This lighter variant has an estimated flight endurance of between 3.5 and 4 operational hours.

The overall investment will cover the drones, associated control systems, launch platforms and required logistical components. Under the official timetable, deliveries of the new units will begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. However, the distribution plan runs until June 2033, establishing gradual integration over the coming years.

Images are for illustrative purposes only.