Taiwan is actively enhancing its defense capabilities through significant investments in AI-powered drones, while also fostering innovation in its commercial drone industry.
Taiwan’s AI Drone Procurement
In 2024, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced plans to acquire nearly 1,000 drones equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. These drones are intended to strengthen Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy amid rising regional tensions .
The procurement includes attack drones from U.S. defense contractors AeroVironment and Anduril Industries. Specifically, Taiwan plans to purchase 685 Switchblade 300 loitering munitions and 291 ALTIUS 600M-V unmanned aerial vehicles .
XDynamics: Advanced Drone Technology
XDynamics, a company with offices in Taiwan, the U.S., and Japan, specializes in high-end drones for professional aerial videography. Their flagship model, the Evolve 2, features a Micro Four Thirds camera system capable of recording 4K video at 120 frames per second, catering to filmmakers and aerial photographers .
In 2021, a Taiwanese university student utilized the XDynamics Evolve 2 to capture award-winning aerial photographs, earning recognition at the Budapest International Foto Awards .
Strategic Implications
The integration of AI into drone technology is reshaping modern warfare. The U.S. Department of Defense’s “Replicator” initiative aims to deploy autonomous drone swarms to create a “hellscape” in the Taiwan Strait, deterring potential aggression . This strategy underscores the growing importance of AI-enabled drones in national defense.