[International] Drone technology trends towards lower costs; scholars urge Taiwan to deepen cooperation with Europe.
B
bellala 央廣＠＠3h ago
The European International Defence Exhibition recently opened in Paris, France, attracting participation from Taiwan's industry, government, and academia. Scholars noted that the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts highlight drones as crucial equipment in modern warfare, with military industry development moving towards miniaturization and cost reduction. Facing international changes, Taiwan should seize the opportunity to deepen cooperation with European defense industries.
The biennial European International Defence Exhibition (Eurosatory) was held in Paris, France, from June 15th to 19th, showcasing the latest defense technology developments. Shu Xiaohuang, an associate researcher at the National Defense Security Research Institute, who attended the exhibition, told CNA that the Russia-Ukraine war and recent Middle East conflicts demonstrate the increasing prevalence of drones in warfare, with corresponding counter-technology rapidly developing.
He pointed out that low-cost anti-drone systems are currently receiving high attention, including interceptor drones manufactured using 3D printing technology for their bodies and motor propulsion, which can pursue and intercept enemy drones at a lower cost, such as the Iranian-made "Shahed-136" attack drone.
Shu Xiaohuang stated that this year's exhibition also featured many exhibitors integrating traditional anti-aircraft artillery with radar systems to develop new anti-drone equipment. Additionally, some companies integrated drone systems onto armored vehicles for missions such as interception, reconnaissance, and electronic jamming, demonstrating the "Multi-Domain Operations" concept emphasized by the US military and NATO in recent years.
He believes that the development of next-generation weapons is urgent, requiring not only continuous innovation in equipment but also the ability for rapid adaptation and flexible deployment.
Shu Xiaohuang said that one of the biggest lessons from the Russia-Ukraine battlefield is the importance of rapid response capability. "In fact, on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield, you must quickly respond to changes in the situation. If you cannot react quickly, you will definitely be the losing side on that battlefield."
Xu Zhixiang, an assistant researcher at the Institute of Political Warfare and Strategic Studies of the National Defense Security Research Institute, noted that Taiwan's military equipment system has long been highly dependent on the United States. While a relatively mature exchange platform has been established between the two sides for arms procurement, industrial capabilities, and communication of needs, interactions with European countries remain relatively limited.
Xu Zhixiang stated that in recent years, Europe has actively promoted reducing reliance on China's supply chains and establishing "non-red supply chains," which presents a favorable opportunity for Taiwan. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of rising geopolitical risks, Europe is accelerating the integration of defense industry resources, including Germany and France strengthening cooperation with Eastern European countries, providing Taiwan with opportunities for more exchanges and cooperation.
On the other hand, Peng Xuezhen, founder of the Taiwan-Europe AI Defense Technology Association, established this year, said that many small and medium-sized technology companies in Taiwan are limited by production capacity and find it difficult to establish direct cooperative relationships with large international defense companies.
She believes the government can incorporate more flexibility into system design, reducing unnecessary restrictions to promote international exchange and cooperation. Simultaneously, it should promote partnerships between Taiwan's software industry and overseas businesses to enhance Taiwan's visibility and competitiveness in the global defense technology supply chain.
The European International Defence Exhibition is one of the world's largest defense and security industry exhibitions, attracting over 2,600 exhibitors this year, including 10 Taiwanese companies, covering areas such as drones, anti-drone systems, and defense technology. Future-Tech, which won a contract for the Taiwanese military's drone countermeasure system, also participated in the exhibition. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215634
How does this article make you feel?
0 people reacted