By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-09-24 01:38:06 | Updated at 2024-09-30 11:39:52
6 days ago
Executives from US drone manufacturers – including Switchblade maker AeroVironment – are visiting Taiwan to explore potential partnerships aimed at establishing a secure supply chain for the uncrewed systems.
Representatives of 26 American drone companies, along with officials from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defence innovation unit, arrived in Taipei on Sunday for a four-day visit, according to the US International Trade Administration (ITA).
The group held policy round tables on Monday with officials from the American Institute in Taiwan – Washington’s de facto embassy in Taipei – and Taiwanese manufacturers, and visited commercial and defence companies, the ITA statement said without providing further details.
The delegation is expected to hold discussions with representatives of local drone associations on Tuesday. They will also meet officials from Taiwan’s military, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology – the island’s top weapons maker – and private defence contractor the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation.
The ITA said the group would also attend business networking events with Taiwanese manufacturers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
