American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has signed a $250 million contract with the US Department of Defense to produce four MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles for Taiwan’s maritime reconnaissance. This information was officially announced in a written statement by the Pentagon, according to TASS.
The Pentagon emphasized that US assistance to Taiwan does not affect military support for Ukraine. The Chinese Ministry of Defense has protested the US provision of military aid to Taiwan in the amount of $345 million.
The total cost of the contract is $250,063,810 and also includes two ground control stations, spare parts, and corresponding equipment.
Work under the contract will be carried out in California, where the company’s headquarters is located. The project is expected to be completed by August 11, 2027. So far, the Chinese Embassy in Washington has not provided a comment on the TASS agency’s request regarding this contract.
Unmanned aerial vehicles of this model are designed for maritime reconnaissance and are capable of carrying out combat missions with various types of weapons.
Earlier, Taiwanese authorities reported negotiations with the US on possible deliveries of strike unmanned aerial vehicles. In July of last year, President Joe Biden announced the allocation of a $345 million military aid package to Taiwan.
The US is the main supplier of weapons to Taiwan. In 1979, Washington severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established them with Beijing, but continues to maintain ties with the island and supply weapons, recognizing the “one China” policy. This has sparked protests from China, which considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory.
Earlier, China expressed its opinion on US military supplies to Taiwan.
