Taiwan looks at acquiring MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicles

The MQ-9 Reaper, this example is operated by the USAF.

The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) (Taiwanese Air Force) is looking at requesting for the sale of  General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) from the United States government, as it moves to improve its combat capability using UAVs.

It is expected that the cost will reach around US$166 million for 4 units including all ground and support equipment, training, logistics support, and spares.

This plan appears to be in addition to the ongoing development of home-grown UAVs for surveillance and combat roles in the same category as the American Reaper.

Taiwan is currently developing the Teng Yun medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV, which is similar in size to the MQ-9, but has encountered problems with developing a local powerplant which was unable to reach desired performance levels.

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper has 7 hardpoints that can carry a total of up to 1,000 kilograms of munitions and sensor pods, including the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile, Paveway II laser guided bombs, or the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) smart bombs.


[1] Shephard Media
[2] The National Interest