US officials have approved the sale of more than 1,000 suicide drones and related equipment to Taiwan in a deal valued at over $360 million USD.
On June 19, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the US State Department had approved the sale of suicide drones to Taiwan, stating that this would enhance the recipient's security, support political stability, balance armed capabilities, and advance economic progress in the region.
The deal includes 1,000 suicide drones, also known as new patrol missiles, with a total value exceeding $360 million USD. This includes Switchblade 300 loitering munitions and associated equipment valued at $60.2 million USD, as well as ALTIUS 600M-V unmanned aircraft and related equipment valued at $300 million USD.
China has not commented on the US decision. China has repeatedly criticized the US for providing weapons to Taiwan, calling it a move that escalates military tensions and poses a danger to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Western experts suggest that suicide drones like the Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M-V can potentially attack approaching warships near the coast. The ALTIUS 600M-V can also establish sensor networks at sea, significantly enhancing targeting capabilities for other weapon systems.
The transaction comes amid ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. US officials recently discussed plans to protect Taiwan by using a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to make the waters and airspace around the island an impenetrable zone.
China regards Taiwan as a province awaiting reunification and supports peaceful solutions but does not rule out the use of force if necessary. The Chinese military has conducted numerous exercises around the island, including simulations of controlling critical areas within short periods.
