Taiwan's MQ-9B SkyGuardian timeline accelerates
The MQ-9B is split into two variants, the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. These are mostly indistinguishable, with specific payloads outfitting the SkyGuardian for over-land operations and the SeaGuardian for maritime operations. (Photo: GA-ASI)
On 1 May 2023, the US DoD formally announced Taiwan's acquisition of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones. The programme will conclude in 2025, four years earlier than originally planned.
The US DoD announced on 1 May 2023 that General Atomics (GA-ASI) had been awarded a not-to-exceed $217.62 million contract action for Taiawan's MQ-9B SkyGaurdian procurement. The contract includes four MQ-9B vehicles, two GCS, spares and other support equipment.
The deal has been many years in the making. In August 2020, the US first announced the possible sale, with the Trump administration later notifying Congress that it had approved a $600 million deal which included four drones, two fixed GCS, two mobile GVS and 14 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigations Systems with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM).
Following this, however, the programme
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE]()
Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE
The arrival of the latest GlobalEye marked the fourth AEW&C aircraft delivery to the UAE in just four years.
-
![India could buy nearly 100 new Tejas fighters in biggest ever domestic order]()
India could buy nearly 100 new Tejas fighters in biggest ever domestic order
This procurement would form part of the Indian Air Force’s plan to retire its fleet of MiG-21 fighters and replace them with the indigenous LCA Tejas Mk1As by 2025.
-
![Romania receives three more F-16 fighters from Norway]()
Romania receives three more F-16 fighters from Norway
Romania has continued to marking progress in its efforts to modernise its air force and replace its Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters.
-
![Spain fortifies air defences with more NASAMS]()
Spain fortifies air defences with more NASAMS
Spain began the advancement of its air defence capabilities with the initiation of the NASAMS modernisation programme.
