Taiwan Tests U.S. MQ-9B Drones to Expand Surveillance of Chinese Naval Activity Around Island

Taiwan began flight testing its first two U.S.-supplied MQ-9B SeaGuardian uncrewed aircraft at Hualien, moving from assembly toward operational evaluation. The four-aircraft procurement is valued at about NT$21.7 billion, with the remaining pair expected in 2027. Satellite communications, electro-optical sensors and radar payloads are intended to provide persistent maritime surveillance beyond the line of sight and improve tracking of Chinese naval activity. Testing must validate integration, operator training and support arrangements before the aircraft can deliver a sustained operational intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability routinely.