Taiwan receives its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian and begins assembly and testing

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems/MQ-9B SkyGuardian / SeaGuardian

Taiwan took delivery of the first of four MQ-9B SkyGuardians bought from the US, with assembly underway and flight tests to follow before service entry. The drones are meant to watch the seas around the Taiwan Strait.

• Four aircraft ordered; deliveries spread over 2026 and 2027.
• Sensors include electro-optical, infrared, maritime surveillance and synthetic-aperture radar.
• Flies above 40,000 ft for more than 40 hours.