Taiwan tests US-made MQ-9B drones to counter PLA ‘grey-zone’ operations

AI Summary

Taiwan has commenced flight tests of the US-made MQ-9B drones to enhance long-range reconnaissance capabilities against PLA grey-zone operations in surrounding waters. Two of the four drones ordered have conducted their first test flights from Hualien Air Base.

Taiwan has begun flight testing its newly acquired MQ-9B drones, giving the island a long-range reconnaissance platform capable of monitoring People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and grey-zone activities across vast stretches of surrounding waters. The first two of four MQ-9B SeaGuardians ordered from the United States took off from Hualien Air Base in eastern Taiwan on Monday, according to military sources. It was their first test flight since arriving in Taiwan by sea in June, following nearly three...