U.S.-based Kratos Defence and Taiwan’s military have successfully tested a jet-powered attack drone designed to rapidly expand the island’s low-cost drone capabilities, Kratos announced on Thursday.
The trial at Kratos’ Oklahoma City facility validated the integration of a Taiwanese mission payload on the Mighty Hornet IV attack drone, marking a key step in defence technology collaboration between the two sides.
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), Taiwan’s top military research body, called the project a “new milestone in U.S.-Taiwan defence technology collaboration.” Officials noted the effort could shorten development timelines and provide capabilities for rapid countermeasures and long-range preemptive strikes.
Kratos described the test as a pivotal achievement, laying the groundwork for larger-scale deployment and production of the systems in Taiwan. The Mighty Hornet IV is designed as a low-cost, cruise missile-like weapon to serve both as a deterrent and wartime asset.
Context: Rising Chinese Pressure
China continues to assert sovereignty claims over Taiwan, regularly deploying warplanes and naval assets near the island. Taipei refers to these operations as “grey zone” tactics. In late December, China conducted large-scale war games near Taiwan, while the number of Chinese military aircraft detected near the island rose 23% in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to Taiwan’s defence minister.
Strategic Importance of Drones
Taiwan aims to field large numbers of affordable unmanned systems to complicate any potential Chinese military action. The Kratos collaboration represents a strategic push to bolster the island’s defensive posture and ensure rapid technological adaptation in a high-stakes security environment.
with inputs from Reuters