Taipei Aerospace and Defense Exhibition Launches with Record Participation

The Taipei Aerospace and Defense Exhibition opened on March 15, 2024, at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, featuring a record number of exhibitors and new military systems. The event showcases 51 new military technologies and includes 490 exhibitors occupying 1,500 booths, up from 275 exhibitors and approximately 960 booths in 2023. This three-day exhibition emphasizes Taiwan’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.

During the opening ceremony, Karin Lang, Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, highlighted the growing collaboration between American and Taiwanese companies. She noted that the US pavilion had doubled in size since the last exhibition, now representing over 40 companies. “When American and Taiwan companies collaborate, they create solutions that enhance not just bilateral interests, but contribute to broader regional security and prosperity,” Lang remarked in front of an audience that included Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo.

On the first day, Taiwan revealed its first missile produced in partnership with a US firm, marking a significant milestone in defense cooperation. The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology announced plans to sign multiple agreements with US and Canadian companies, including deals for anti-drone rockets with Canada’s AirShare and underwater surveillance drones with the US company Anduril. Earlier this year, the institute had already partnered with Anduril to co-develop the Barracuda-500, a low-cost autonomous cruise missile.

The institute’s president, Lee Shih-chiang, emphasized the importance of manufacturing independence in the face of potential conflict. “Our goal is that if war or a blockade starts, we would be able to manufacture every weapon we need to protect ourselves,” he stated. He also mentioned that the supply chain for the Barracuda-500 would be entirely self-sufficient within 18 months, relying exclusively on Taiwanese components.

The Ministry of National Defense’s pavilion is organized into four areas: joint operations weapons, uncrewed systems, dual-use technologies, and talent recruitment. The joint operations section features 20 new systems, including the M1A2T tank and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, showcasing Taiwan’s multidomain deterrence strategy. Additionally, the uncrewed systems section highlights 19 technologies, such as the Mighty Hornet attack drones and autonomous underwater vehicles, reflecting lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Innovations in the dual-use technology segment include advanced electromagnetic pulse-shielding windows and next-generation security monitoring systems. These developments stem from collaborations between industry and academia aimed at fostering defense self-reliance and stimulating economic growth.

Previous exhibitions have attracted around 40,000 visitors, indicating strong public support for national defense initiatives. To further engage the community, this year’s exhibition features interactive experiences, guided tours, and a recruitment area to encourage interest in defense careers.

Taiwan aims to allocate 5 percent of its GDP to defense spending by 2030, increasing from 3.3 percent in the previous year. This heightened investment is projected to result in military hardware procurements between US$50 billion and US$60 billion, according to Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council. He noted that about one-third of this budget will be directed towards domestic production, while the remaining two-thirds will focus on international procurement, predominantly from the United States.

As the exhibition unfolds, it underscores Taiwan’s strategic focus on enhancing its military capabilities and fostering international partnerships to navigate a complex security landscape.