Taiwan has revealed its first domestically produced missile designed in collaboration with a US defense contractor, underscoring closer military-technology ties with Washington amid heightened tensions with China. The missile, developed by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and California-based Anduril Industries, is derived from the Barracuda-500, a cost-effective, self-guided weapon system. Capable of engaging land and maritime targets, the missile is expected to cost approximately $216,000 per unit, with full-scale production scheduled to commence within 18 months. Alongside the Barracuda-derived system, NCSIST showcased prototypes of an unmanned underwater drone and an autonomous naval mine, both co-developed with Anduril, reflecting Taiwan’s expanding focus on asymmetric warfare. The missile program is part of Taipei’s larger strategy to counterbalance China’s superior military numbers by fielding large quantities of affordable, versatile, and precise systems. Taiwan has also accelerated its unmanned systems buildup, recently announcing plans to produce 1,320 Kuai Chi uncrewed surface vessels for deployment by its navy, marines, and special forces. Moreover, small drones are being reclassified as “consumables,” allowing faster fielding. Training programs have been adjusted, with drone operations now embedded in an eight-week military academy curriculum. Cooperation with Anduril extends beyond hardware, as the US firm is also providing advanced command-and-control platforms and artificial intelligence-driven unmanned aerial systems. Earlier deliveries of Altius loitering munitions under a 2024 deal further enhanced Taiwan’s arsenal. The unveiling of the new missile comes as Taipei prepares a special defense budget worth $20–30 billion, aimed at funding drones, missiles, uncrewed vessels, and digitalized command systems by 2026. For Washington, the partnership demonstrates its commitment to equipping Taiwan with affordable, scalable technologies that improve survivability against China’s growing military pressure.
