U.S. State Department Approves Major Military Sales to Taiwan: Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M-V Systems
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of Switchblade 300 Anti-Personnel and Anti-Armor Loitering Missile Systems and related equipment. This sale, valued at an estimated $60.2 million, was certified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
TECRO has requested 720 Switchblade 300 All Up Rounds (including 35 for testing) and 101 fire control systems. Additional non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) includes spares packs, operator manuals, training, logistics, fielding support, U.S. Government technical assistance, quality assurance, transportation, and other related logistics and program support elements. This sale aligns with U.S. law and policy under Public Law 96-8 and aims to enhance the recipient’s defense capabilities, thereby supporting regional stability and economic progress.
AeroVironment, Inc., based in Simi Valley, CA, is the principal contractor, with no offset agreements involved. The sale will necessitate eight U.S. Government and two contractor representatives to support fielding, training, and program management over five years.
In addition, the State Department has greenlit a separate possible Foreign Military Sale to TECRO for ALTIUS 600M-V Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and related equipment, estimated at $300 million. TECRO seeks to acquire up to 291 ALTIUS 600M-V systems, inert training UAVs, launch systems, transport trailers, ground control systems, spares, battery chargers, and comprehensive support including training, logistics, and technical assistance.
This sale also adheres to U.S. law and policy under Public Law 96-8, reinforcing TECRO’s defensive capabilities, which contribute to regional stability and balance. Anduril, located in Atlanta, GA, is the primary contractor. The sale involves five U.S. Government and 12 contractor representatives for a two-year period to manage fielding, training, and program implementation.
Both sales are designed to support U.S. national, economic, and security interests by bolstering TECRO’s defense modernization efforts and ensuring a stable, balanced regional security environment. These transactions will not disrupt the military equilibrium in the area, as the recipient is expected to seamlessly integrate the new systems into its existing military framework.