Taiwan is set to purchase roughly 1,000 suicide drones from the U.S. It's part of Taiwan's goal to build up a drone fleet.
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00:00Drones like these are quickly making their way into Taiwan's armed forces.
00:06It's part of a push by Taiwan to upgrade its military equipment as it faces ongoing threats
00:11of invasion from China.
00:13That's why on Wednesday, the U.S. approved a sale of almost a thousand suicide drones.
00:19These are lightweight, unmanned aerial systems which explode on impact.
00:24Taiwan's defense ministry thanked the U.S. for the sale and for ensuring that these drones
00:28are delivered as soon as possible.
00:41This type of suicide drone, called the switchblade, can easily fit in a soldier's backpack.
00:47Last year, Taiwan unveiled its own version of the drone alongside other unmanned systems
00:52as part of what it calls a drone fleet.
00:55The military says this fleet will provide reconnaissance and extra firepower without
01:00putting soldiers at risk.
01:02And with so many drones being introduced, the goal is for every unit in Taiwan's army
01:07to have them at their disposal.
01:09If we can develop a combat system that can be deployed on the battlefield, it will not
01:14only be able to carry out intelligence gathering and instant strike, but it will also enable
01:20Taiwan says it plans to procure almost a thousand domestically made drones in addition
01:34to the ones purchased from the U.S.
01:37And with the purchase of newer systems from the U.S., Taiwan is also hoping it can use
01:42this technology to better develop its own drone manufacturing program.
01:59With production of these machines on the rise, Taiwan is hoping it can continue bolstering
02:04its defenses while minimizing the risks to its soldiers on the ground.
02:08James Lin and Jaime Okan, for Taiwan Plus.
02:12For more UN videos visit www.un.org