Taiwan Plans Fleet of 292 Shield AI V-BAT Drones

Oct 18, 2026
Taiwan plans to operate 292 Shield AI V-BAT surveillance drones, including 12 already delivered to its coast guard and 280 planned for its navy.

Taiwan plans to acquire a total of 292 MQ-35A V-BAT surveillance drones from Shield AI, reports the Taipei Times. The coast guard has received 12 drones under a NT$1.2 billion purchase, while the navy plans to spend NT$36 billion on 280 more over four years.

The package includes 140 control systems and 82 ground transport vehicles. Of the navy drones, 212 are allocated to the Coastal Combat Command and Hsiung Feng anti ship missile units for reconnaissance when units relocate or radar systems are unavailable.

Taiwan could become the largest V-BAT operator outside the United States after deliveries are completed. Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) will provide logistics, maintenance and training, while the share of drone components supplied by Taiwanese companies is expected to rise from 16 percent to 25 percent.

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