TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and the US are looking to establish a supply chain independent of China, the Financial Times reported Friday (Sept. 20).
A delegation of 26 US executives from unmanned systems and anti-drone companies will arrive in Taipei on Sunday (Sept. 22). The delegation will meet with Taiwanese representatives over three days, per CNA.
The partnership comes as China dominates the global drone market. This bilateral partnership reflects a growing trend of "de-risking" supply chains.
The US is concerned about the security of certain Chinese products, especially those with dual-use applications. Taiwan, known for its advanced technology, remains a crucial player in global supply chains.
The visiting group includes officials from the US Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense. Taiwanese drone industry representatives, military officials overseeing weapons procurement and research and development, and researchers and engineers will join the meeting.
The visiting American officials will discuss ways to help US companies find non-Chinese suppliers and manufacturing partners. Participating companies include Dedrone, which specializes in counter-drone systems, and Northrop Grumman, a major defense contractor.
AeroVironment, a US company that produces Switchblade loitering munitions (suicide drones), is also part of the delegation. Taiwan is ordering more than 700 AeroVironment Switchblades.
The Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition, a newer version of the Switchblade 300 drone, hovers in the air until it finds a target using its sensors. It can then attack the target with a built-in warhead that explodes in a shotgun-like pattern to reduce collateral damage, according to New Atlas.
The Switchblade 600 is larger than the Switchblade 300 suicide drone. It has an ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) warhead, designed to destroy tanks and other heavily armored vehicles, per Army Recognition.
Taiwan boasts a growing commercial drone industry, but its companies are generally smaller than their Chinese counterparts. The Taiwanese government has launched a “national drone team” initiative to support the industry after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
