TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The first two SeaGuardian drones are expected to arrive in Taiwan in the second half of this year, a Ministry of National Defense official said Sunday.

Construction of a ground control station is underway, the official added, per CNA. The Air Force began planning the station and other facilities, such as drone hangars and taxiways, in May 2024.

It has also maintained close contact with Taiwan’s representative office in the US and the US Air Force program office to oversee drone production and delivery schedules and ensure the systems are delivered on time.

Taiwan allocated NT$21.7 billion (US$674.02 million) from 2022 to 2029 to purchase four SeaGuardian drones and related equipment. The drones will be delivered in two batches in 2026 and 2027.

National Defense and Security Research Institute analyst Hsieh Pei-hsueh (謝沛學) previously said that the MQ-9B’s data-link system could enable real-time intelligence sharing between Taiwan and the US, creating opportunities for deeper defense cooperation.

For example, in the early stages of a Taiwan Strait conflict, Washington could deploy anti-ship missiles on Taiwan’s outer islands, such as Orchid Island, Green Island, or Dongsha Island, to prevent a Chinese naval blockade.

Taiwan could then use the SeaGuardians to provide intelligence on Chinese navy movements to US forces.