Taiwan has introduced its first missile developed in partnership with a US defense firm, marking a step toward domestic production and underscoring deepening defense ties with Washington amid escalating tensions with China.
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), Taiwan’s leading state-run weapons developer, showcased the new land-mobile missile based on the Barracuda-500, created with California-based Anduril Industries. Designed for strikes on both land and sea targets, the system is projected to cost around $216,000 per unit, with mass production slated to begin within 18 months. NCSIST has not disclosed its range.
Alongside the missile, NCSIST revealed prototypes of an underwater drone and an autonomous underwater mine, also developed with Anduril. The collaboration follows Taiwan’s August expansion of its defense arsenal with drones, missiles, and unmanned vessels.
Anduril previously delivered the first batch of Altius loitering munitions under a 2024 foreign military sale. NCSIST also secured an agreement with the company to integrate an AI-driven command-and-control system and advanced unmanned aerial systems.
Taiwan has further announced plans to build 1,320 Kuai Chi uncrewed surface vessels for use across its navy, marine corps, and special operations units within five years. At the same time, small drones have been reclassified as “consumables” to speed deployment, with drone training incorporated into an eight-week program at nine military academies.
In August, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense also disclosed preparations for a $20–30 billion special budget dedicated to missiles, drones, uncrewed platforms, and upgraded command systems, marking the fourth such fund planned for 2026.
