Taiwan is planning to purchase 100 units of the Switchblade, a small, attack-type unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the American company AeroVironment, and give it to the Army’s special forces.
The purchase is expected to take place in 2024 via foreign military sales channel. According to Up Media, Taiwan is taking a close look at such type of suicide drone after noticing its successful in the Ukrainian battlefield. An invitation to bid by the Navy suggest the service is seeking to acquire similar drones.
It was also reported that the United States had agreed to sell the Switchblade to Taiwan in 2020 after becoming aware that Taipei is developing a similar system. However during this period, Taiwan was busy acquiring other new weapon systems such as HiMARs and Harpoon coastal missile system, and decided to delay the acquisition of the Switchblade.
Of note, Taiwan is also approaching private companies to develop three types of indigenous drones. The three classes are: micro, target acquisition, and surveillance. Surveillance drones will be adapted for land and maritime environments as well.
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is reportedly planning to begin testing its own suicide drone project this year. The institute has developed an imaging infrared acquisition system and a control system for the drone. It is expected that a private company will manufacture the airframe while NCSIST handles the integration of the guidance and control system.
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