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Taiwan MQ-9B SeaGuardian Drone Deployment
Taiwan began flight testing its first two of four US-made MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from Hualien Air Base, providing new long-range reconnaissance capability to monitor PLA grey-zone activities. The deployment reflects deepening US-Taiwan defense cooperation amid rising cross-strait tensions.
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## Overview
Taiwan has begun flight testing its newly acquired MQ-9B drones, giving the island a long-range reconnaissance platform capable of monitoring People's Liberation Army (PLA) and grey-zone activities across surrounding waters (SCMP, September 15).
## Key Details
- The first two of four MQ-9B SeaGuardians ordered from the United States took off from Hualien Air Base in eastern Taiwan on Monday, according to military sources (SCMP, September 15)
- It was their first test flight since arriving in Taiwan by sea in June (SCMP, September 15)
- The drones are intended to counter PLA 'grey-zone' operations around Taiwan (SCMP, September 15)
## Significance
The MQ-9B deployment represents a concrete step in Taiwan's military modernization and enhanced maritime domain awareness, directly aimed at countering the PLA's persistent grey-zone pressure campaign (incursions, surveillance, coast guard activity) short of open conflict. It signals deepening US-Taiwan defense cooperation ahead of the Trump-Xi summit where Taiwan arms sales are expected to be discussed.
## Context
This connects to broader themes of Taiwan's military modernization, US arms sales amid policy uncertainty under Trump, and the PLA's expanding grey-zone and blockade-related activities (e.g., AJX002 minelaying drone, HQ-16F missile deployment, maritime surveys east of Taiwan).