Taipei: Taiwan has officially received the first batch of the United States' Altius-600M attack drones, as confirmed by Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo late Tuesday. The delivery marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's efforts to bolster its defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Defense Ministry stated that Minister Koo met with Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril Industries-the manufacturer of the drones-and expressed gratitude for the timely delivery. "This project, initiated last year, achieved rapid delivery of the first batch this year," Minister Koo remarked in a joint statement with Anduril Industries.

In light of the "severe threat environment," Minister Koo highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Defense Ministry to plan and procure both surveillance and attack drones that meet the operational needs of Taiwan's defense forces. The Altius-600M drones, versatile in their deployment, can be launched from land, air, and sea platforms. They have the capability to hover for approximately four hours and cover distances of up to 440 kilometers (273 miles). These drones are also equipped to scout battlefields, relay communications, resist electronic warfare, and carry high-explosive anti-tank missiles.

Additionally, last month, Focus Taiwan, the official media outlet, reported that Taiwan's military is planning to procure approximately 50,000 drones over the next two years. This move underscores Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its defense infrastructure.

Further emphasizing Taiwan's defense strategy, Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te announced on Tuesday that Taipei's defense spending will surpass 3% of its $815 billion GDP. This increase aims to enhance the island's self-defense capabilities significantly. The pledge aligns with a report from the US Congressional Research Service, which indicated that the US executive branch had notified Congress of weapons sales to Taiwan surpassing $28 billion from 2015 through 2025.