Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has taken delivery of the first V-BAT uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) from US defence technology firm Shield AI and its Taiwanese partner, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC).
The initial arrival marks the start of a scheduled delivery of twelve V-BAT systems over the coming months under the CGA’s “Shipborne UAV” programme, according to Shield AI.
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On 7 October, the CGA showcased the newly arrived V-BATs at the Port of Taipei in a demonstration attended by Minister Kuan Bi-Ling of the Ocean Affairs Council and National Security Council Secretary General Joseph Wu.
Shield AI engineers displayed the setup process and operational features of the aircraft, highlighting rapid deployment and shipborne capability.
The CGA selected the V-BAT following a competitive tender in July 2026. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design allows the aircraft to operate from vessels and remote sites without the need for runways, supporting persistent surveillance, coastal patrol, and law enforcement missions, the companies stated.
The Coast Guard intends to use the V-BAT fleet to strengthen maritime domain awareness across the Taiwan Strait and its maritime borders.
Shield AI and AIDC are also working to build local support for the systems, including the training of Coast Guard personnel in operation and maintenance.
The companies said this approach is intended to foster local expertise and establish a sustainment network in Taiwan.
Shield AI president and co-founder Brandon Tseng said: “V-BAT will give Taiwan’s Coast Guard the maritime domain awareness and intelligence picture needed across the Taiwan Strait and its maritime borders.
“V-BAT already does this for the US Coast Guard, helping intercept more than 100,000 pounds of narcotics last year alone. Extending those same capabilities to Taiwan helps keep the Strait safe from illegal activity and hostile actors. It gives Taiwan the sovereignty it needs to protect its own waters.”
V-BAT is a Group 3 uncrewed aircraft system with a ducted-fan configuration and heavy-fuel engine.
Shield AI states that the platform has an endurance of more than 12 hours and can launch and recover without assistance from ship decks and other confined locations. It is designed for operations in contested electronic warfare environments and to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) at reduced cost and logistical burden compared to larger systems.
Shield AI and AIDC formalised their partnership in 2025 to support Taiwan’s defence industrial base and technological autonomy.
The companies report ongoing collaboration on sustainment, training, and technical integration, aimed at enhancing the deployability and scalability of uncrewed systems in Taiwan.
In related developments, the US Navy and Shield AI recently committed $400m to progress the X-BAT programme towards flight testing.
The Navy’s latest $150m contract modification will support Defence Exportability Features, incorporating exportability and technology-protection measures during the system’s early development. Shield AI is providing matching funding.
