US Approves of Taiwan’s ‘porcupine strategy’ by Sale of Advanced Loitering Munitions

Christchurch: Taiwan has won approval from the United States to purchase hundreds of loitering munitions, a significant step in its defence strategy against potential Chinese military aggression. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on June 18 that Taiwan would receive 291 Altius 600M-V loitering munitions from Anduril, valued at $300 million, and 720 Switchblade 300s from AeroVironment, worth $60.2 million.  

The Altius 600M-V package includes warheads, electro-optic/infrared cameras, pneumatic launchers, transport trailers, and ground control stations. The 47-pound aircraft has a flight range of 276 miles and an endurance of 4 hours. The Switchblade 300, designed for both anti-personnel and anti-armour roles, weighs 3.69 pounds and has a 20-minute endurance.  

Chen Kuo-ming, a defence analyst based in Taipei, remarked that the Switchblades are well-suited for anti-personnel tasks while the Altius can effectively target armoured vehicles. “In the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s frequent military operations around Taiwan, the U.S. side agreed to sell arms items that will have reconnaissance and immediate strike capabilities,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated.  

Delivery Timeline and Impact 

The weapons are expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2025. The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council praised the decision, with President Rupert Hammond-Chambers noting that these munitions will significantly enhance Taiwan's inventory of mobile smart munitions. These weapons will be crucial for on-island defence and can even target People's Liberation Army assets off Taiwan’s coastline.

Despite the strategic benefits, Chen expressed concerns about the cost-effectiveness of these munitions compared to anti-tank missiles. He also questioned the ability of Taiwanese frontline units to effectively target enemies beyond visual range. Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has been developing its loitering munitions, but Chen noted that none have been fielded for army use yet.  

Hammond-Chambers also highlighted that Taiwan is working with foreign partners to develop indigenous mobile smart munitions. This approach is expected to complement foreign military sales and meet Taiwan’s comprehensive defence requirements.  

Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, detailed a strategy to counter any Chinese military action against Taiwan during the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. “I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape using several classified capabilities,” Paparo said, emphasizing the use of advanced technologies to delay and disrupt Chinese advances.