By Ethan Evans
Copyright irishmirror
Taiwan is poised to collaborate with the US on developing an underwater drone as part of efforts to strengthen its domestic weapons and ammunition manufacturing capabilities whilst facing escalating threats from China.
Taipei’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has confirmed the groundbreaking agreement was struck with California-based firm Anduril Industries earlier this year.
The partnership centres on the joint manufacturing of the company’s Barracuda-500 – a budget-friendly, autonomous cruise missile.
This marks the first occasion the democratic island has entered into such an arrangement with a foreign company, and arrives as Taiwan finds itself firmly in Beijing’s sights, with reports suggesting plans to invade their Asian neighbours.
“Our purpose is if in the warfare, even the blockade, we can manufacture every weapon we need to protect ourselves,” declared NCIST President, Li Shih-chiang at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, reports the Daily Record.
Anduril revealed the joint venture’s emphasis was on “mass producibility” and establishing sustainable local manufacturing.
NCIST indicates it will require approximately 18 months to establish the supply chain for the Barracuda-500 in Taiwan, which will utilise 100% Taiwanese components.
The drone, boasting a range exceeding 500 nautical miles, can be deployed from F-15E, F-18E/F, and F-16 fighters, alongside palletised launch platforms such as Rapid Dragon, C-17 and C-130.
This development represents another indication of Taiwan boosting defence expenditure and growing increasingly dependent on US arms sales.
A high-ranking lawmaker previously informed AFP about the country’s defence ministry’s plans to spend a record NT$1 trillion on bolstering its defences.
These plans encompass the integration of air defence systems, technology to detect small drones, rockets, missiles, and enhancing the island’s ability to both manufacture and store ammunition for potential conflict.
Only last month, President Lai Ching-te’s government revealed plans to increase its 2026 defence budget by NT$949.5 billion, and to ramp up spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.
