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Taiwan Coast Guard Receives First Shield AI V-BAT VTOL Drones for Shipborne ISR
Shield AI delivered the first V-BAT aircraft to Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration with local partner AIDC, announcing the milestone on October 13, 2026. Twelve aircraft are due over the coming months following competitive selection in July for the coast guard's Shipborne UAV programme. The Group 3 drone uses a ducted-fan vertical-take-off configuration and a heavy-fuel engine, with Shield AI quoting endurance exceeding 12 hours for maritime surveillance, coastal patrol and law-enforcement missions. Newly arrived aircraft were demonstrated at the Port of Taipei on October 7, while Shield AI and AIDC will provide operator training, maintenance instruction and local support.