TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A delegation led by Army Commander General Lu Kun-hsiu (呂坤修) attended this year’s Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, which runs from Monday to Wednesday.
The army sent four personnel to attend the Washington D.C.-based event, allotting NT$1.108 million (US$36,159) for the eight-day trip, per CNA. The purpose was to analyze the development and reform trends of the US Army’s acquisition system and its implications for foreign military sales recipients.
Scholars from the Institute for National Defense and Security Research also attended the event.
The Army customarily sends senior officers to the event. Last year’s delegation was led by General Chung Shu-ming (鍾樹明), deputy defense minister.
This year’s AUSA exhibition features over 750 exhibits, with participants from 92 countries. The event serves as a major platform that links military leaders, international delegations, and the defense industry, showcasing the latest advancements in weapon systems, unmanned systems, cybersecurity, logistics, and other key areas.
According to its website, “Attendees gain exclusive insights into US Army priorities, explore cutting-edge technologies on the exhibit floor, and engage in high-impact networking with key decision-makers.”
Taiwan has deepened drone cooperation with US defense firms in recent years. At the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exposition last month, the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology revealed the Barracuda-500 autonomous cruise missile, which was designed in partnership with Anduril Industries. It is a low-cost, modular missile that can be transported by mobile vehicles and used to attack various enemy vessels or for interference operations.
The institute also spotlighted an anti-armor variant of the Mighty Hornet drone, developed in collaboration with Kratos, another US defense company. It is capable of vertical takeoff followed by transition to horizontal flight and is armed with an anti-armor warhead.
Taiwan has purchased attack drones from Anduril, including Switchblade 300s and Altius 600M-Vs.
