Analysts: U.S. Partnership Valuable to Taiwan's Young Drone Sector

TaiwanPlus News

As a delegation of U.S. drone and anti-drone firm executives wraps up its visit to Taiwan, defense and unmanned aircraft technology experts weigh in on the value a U.S. partnership brings to Taiwan's relatively young drone industry.

Transcript

00:00U.S. drone and anti-drone system makers have wrapped up a four-day trade mission to Taiwan

00:07to deepen cooperation on the unmanned aircraft technology.

00:10Hosted by the U.S.'s de facto embassy in Taipei and the trade arm of the U.S. Commerce Department,

00:17the mission brought together executives from 26 U.S. companies, as well as Taiwan's drone

00:23makers and high-ranking military officials.

00:26It included a visit to Taipei's government-run security institute, headed by the defense

00:31minister.

00:32No matter whether it's through joint production, joint development, or any other key elements,

00:41China will not let go of the opportunity to join the international supply chain.

00:47The collaboration comes as the U.S. and Taiwan aim to reduce economic reliance on China,

00:54especially in the technological domain.

00:56Citing national security concerns, U.S. President Joe Biden has been trying to slow down Chinese

01:03tech development, pursuing several bans and restrictions targeting Chinese semiconductors,

01:09electric vehicles, and related software.

01:12As Taiwan faces military pressure from Beijing, drones are an important strategic asset.

01:18The technology has proved valuable for countries defending themselves from a larger enemy,

01:24as seen in Ukraine's fight with invading Russia.

01:28Taiwan and the U.S. partnering on this particular technology, a strong sign to defense analysts

01:34of the two countries' close relations, despite being unofficial.

01:48Industry experts say Taiwan's drone development is still relatively young, and will need more

01:59time to mature, especially given the aircraft's complexity.

02:19But given the country's leadership in cutting-edge chips, AI, and electronics, drone makers here

02:26have an advantage many others don't, being within arm's reach of some of the best partners

02:32there are in advanced tech.

02:34And now with the chance to bring the U.S. as a partner in the sector, it's a double

02:39win for both countries, for trade as well as for security.

02:43Fu Hua-hong and Joyce Sun, for Taiwan Plus.

02:48For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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