TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Thunder Tiger said Wednesday that its drones used in Army training comply with the government’s requirement for China-free components in drone procurement, denying claims that some chips were made in China, CNA reported.
In April, Thunder Tiger won an NT$20 million (US$625,000) contract to supply training drones to the Army. Earlier this month, Army personnel inspecting the delivery found “CHN” markings that had been partially removed on the drones’ flight-control chips.
The company said chips used in its Army training drones were manufactured by STMicroelectronics. It said the company, headquartered in France, is a key European semiconductor supplier in non-China supply chains.
According to Thunder Tiger, some chips in STMicroelectronics products are packaged in China, but packaging does not determine a chip’s origin. The company said the CHN marking refers to the packaging location.
The company emphasized that it holds certificates of origin showing the chips were manufactured in France. It added that testing and packaging do not change their country of origin.
Thunder Tiger said the drones’ chips were also designed in Europe and that their cybersecurity meets international military standards. The company also highlighted that its drone-related products comply with cybersecurity requirements.
The company said it is cooperating with the Army’s investigation, including submitting full component origin certificates and supply chain documentation to relevant authorities. It added the case has no major impact on its operations or its cooperation with US defense partners.
Thunder Tiger has been viewed as an important player in Taiwan’s China-free drone supply chain. Its Overkill FPV drone is the first in Asia to receive the US Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared List cybersecurity certification, allowing US government agencies to purchase it without additional approval.
The drone has also entered the second phase of the Pentagon’s Drone Advantage Program, with testing scheduled to begin in June and potential eligibility for future US military procurement.
The company added that key components in the Overkill UAV exclude China-made parts and comply with US standards for cybersecurity, supply chain security, and traceability.
