Taiwan's big drone buy (reported October 17): the navy plans to acquire 280 vertical-takeoff reconnaissance drones from under a four-year, TWD 36 billion (about USD 1.1 billion) program; with 12 already delivered to the coast guard (USD 37.1 million), the combined 292 would, per the ministry's report, make Taiwan the largest operator outside the United States. Of the navy's drones, 212 go to coastal combat and anti-ship missile units so they can keep targeting after relocating or losing radars. expects the Taiwanese component share to rise from 16 to 25 percent, with handling maintenance and training.
Source: taipeitimes.com
Limits
A ministry plan as reported; the purchase is not yet a completed contract.