US drone firm Anduril lands in Taiwan. What’s next?

US Defense technology company Anduril has begun its operations in Taiwan with a new office in Taipei and local partnerships.

On a humid August afternoon in Taipei, Palmer Luckey, founder of US defense firm Anduril, spoke at National Taiwan University and described Taiwan as “the front line of defense against authoritarian expansion.” He attributed the line to former president Tsai Ing-wen.

What Anduril is bringing to Taiwan

The company has opened a Taipei office, started hiring local engineers, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the state-owned Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).

It has delivered the Altius‑600M, a loitering munition with an estimated range of about 440 kilometers and roughly four hours of endurance. The drone can be launched from both vehicles and ships.

Anduril is also promoting its Lattice software, which integrates sensors, radars, and drones into a single battlefield picture. For Taiwan’s military—long focused on traditional hardware—this marks a shift toward system-level warfare.

The approach emphasizes swarms of smaller, cheaper platforms to complicate potential Chinese invasion plans. According to the Taipei Times, the Ministry of National Defense is considering a large-scale drone procurement of up to 1,200 units under a program called Hunter Owl.

Combining imported technology with local capabilities could reshape Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy. The Anduril model offers more flexibility than conventional weapons procurement.

Why Taiwan? Why now?

Taiwan’s decision to partner with Anduril is driven by both urgency and practicality. Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels frequently operate near the island, while US arms shipments often face delays.

At NTU, Luckey argued that China’s actions clearly reflect its ambitions toward Taiwan. He said Taiwan must adopt modern technologies like AI, autonomy, and precision-guided systems to replace outdated arsenals.

Turning to a private company like Anduril gives Taiwan faster access to cutting-edge systems. In return, Anduril gains access to Taiwan’s engineering talent, electronics manufacturing, and strategic location.

Luckey has repeatedly praised Taiwanese engineers as vital to building the next generation of autonomous defense platforms. The partnership also embeds Taiwan more deeply into a US-aligned defense technology ecosystem.

Turbulence and different voices

Anduril’s rise—and its expansion into Taiwan—has not been without criticism. Opponents argue that the company profits from global conflict, chasing contracts in areas ranging from the US-Mexico border to the Middle East.

A 2019 "Los Angeles Times" report quoted an immigrant rights organizer who described Anduril as part of a broader surveillance apparatus. She said its business model depends on targeting marginalized communities, describing its system as a “virtual wall.”

When Luckey spoke at NTU on August 4, 2025, protesters gathered outside to accuse Anduril of supplying arms to Israel. Luckey responded during his talk by calling the claim “misguided.”

Student groups involved in the protest pushed back by citing Luckey’s past statements. In various public forums, he has described himself as a “radical Zionist” and expressed unqualified support for Israel.

Student protesters at Luckey's talk at NTU. (NTU Labor Club)


Implications and prospects

Anduril’s arrival in Taiwan presents both a strategic opportunity and a political risk. For Taipei, the company provides a faster track to disruptive technologies that can support local programs.

For Washington, it’s a test of whether private companies can reinforce allies without going through traditional military aid channels. But critical questions remain.

Can Taiwan maintain and scale these systems effectively? Will Chinese pressure discourage local companies from collaborating too closely?

There’s also uncertainty over whether Anduril’s Silicon Valley culture will integrate smoothly with Taiwan’s defense institutions. Yet the symbolism is clear.

Opening an office in Taipei and delivering operational drones signals a shift from rhetoric to deployment. Luckey has again positioned himself at the center of a controversial technology frontier—this time not in virtual reality, but in the defense of Taiwan.