On May 22, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that Hsu, Szu-chien, Vice Minister for Policy, had attended the delivery ceremony of the first two MQ-9B HALE UAVs to ROCAF on March 17 (Pacific Time). He was accompanied by Alexander Yui, Ambassador of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.
The MND’s procurement of four MQ-9B HALE UAVs stemmed from growing hostile threats and national defense concerns. In response, the United States plans to deliver two UAVs in 2026 and two in 2027 to enhance operational effectiveness.
Both Vice Minister Hsu and Ambassador Yui personally tried the UAV flight simulator, experiencing its advanced reconnaissance capabilities firsthand. They then proceeded to the runway to personally welcome the UAV upon its landing and took a commemorative photograph together.
The MND thanked the U.S. Government, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and many others for their support in the procurement. The MND will continue to work closely with the United States to facilitate future production through security cooperation mechanisms, thereby strengthening national defense.
