Taiwan's first MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs conduct maiden flight from Hualien

Intelligence summary

Taiwan’s first two MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs conducted their first flight from Hualien Air Base on Sept. 14, nearly three months after arriving in Taiwan for assembly, testing, and integration. Taiwan is acquiring four MQ-9Bs for NT$21.7 billion, with the remaining two due in 2027. The aircraft can remain airborne for up to 28 hours and will primarily support long-endurance ISR and real-time monitoring of PLA and China Coast Guard activity around Taiwan.