Taiwan's air force has taken delivery of its first two American-made MQ-9B surveillance drones and flown one for the first time, a boost for its ability to watch Chinese military activity around the island.

• The first two of four MQ-9B drones bought from the US have arrived and made their first test flight from Hualien air base.
• Taiwan is spending about NT$21.7 billion on the four aircraft and their ground control gear, with the last two due next year.
• The drones can stay airborne for long stretches and watch day and night, filling a gap in Taiwan's sea surveillance.
• Taiwan's defense researchers frame them as scouts, not attack weapons — aimed at tracking Chinese warships and coast guard vessels that probe Taiwan's waters short of open conflict.

Outlook: Expect the drones to move into regular patrols around the Taiwan Strait as the remaining two aircraft arrive next year.