U.S. Approves $360 Million Drone Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with China

The United States has approved a $360 million arms sale to Taiwan, including over 1,000 small armed drones, as the island strengthens its asymmetrical warfare capabilities. Announced by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Tuesday, the sale includes 720 Switchblade missiles with fire control systems worth $60.2 million and up to 291 Altius 600M loitering munitions and supporting components valued at $300 million.

The move comes amid increasing military pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has conducted extensive military exercises and frequent warplane flights near the island. The Taiwan Relations Act mandates that the U.S. provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, resulting in regular arms supplies to Taipei.

Responding to the announcement, Taiwan’s presidential office expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s security commitments. Presidential office spokeswoman Karen Kuo stated that Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense and asymmetric warfare capabilities.

The Switchblade and Altius 600M drones, manufactured by AeroVironment and Anduril respectively, are known for their reconnaissance and combat capabilities, having demonstrated effectiveness in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.

This sale is part of a backlog of U.S. military support to Taiwan, with over $19.6 billion in approved but undelivered weaponry, including $6.1 billion in asymmetrical weapon systems. The sale has drawn criticism from Beijing, with Chinese Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun criticizing “external interfering forces” at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore.

The proposed sale requires Congressional approval before being finalized.