Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao Attends Tainan Drone Exhibition to Boost Taiwan's Defense Technology

At the marina area of the Formosa Yacht Hotel in Tainan, the Taiwan Marine Autonomous Technology and Unmanned Research Exhibition held today attracted numerous domestic and international exhibitors and visitors. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim arrived at the venue at 9:00 a.m. to tour the exhibition and interact with research and development teams. She stated that she hopes to use this opportunity to encourage more Taiwanese enterprises to invest in the research and development of next-generation defense technology, further strengthening local defense capabilities. The exhibition has been held annually in Tainan since 2017 and has become an important platform for exchanges on marine unmanned systems in Asia.

Since its inception, MATURE Taiwan (Marine Autonomous Technology & Unmanned Research Exhibition) has focused on the research, development, and application of marine unmanned vehicles (UAVs, UUVs, and USVs). Over the past five editions, the exhibition has attracted more than one hundred exhibitors, covering multiple fields ranging from marine monitoring and resource exploration to military reconnaissance. This year's exhibition specially invited the Ministry of National Defense and the Naval Research Institute to participate jointly, and established a live demonstration area allowing visitors to observe the operational performance of unmanned vehicles in different environments at close range. This not only provides a platform for Taiwan's marine technology innovation, but also showcases Taiwan's competitiveness in the high-tech sector to international investors.

During the demonstrations, visitors were able to see a variety of different types of unmanned vehicles. These included unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) capable of operating on the water surface and equipped with radar and optical sensors to carry out maritime monitoring and reconnaissance missions, as well as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) featuring depth detection and underwater communication capabilities, suitable for submarine pipeline inspection and enemy submarine detection. In addition, vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were showcased to provide aerial surveillance near the coastline and coordinate operations with marine unmanned vehicles. The Vice President pointed out that these technologies not only enhance defense autonomy, but can also be applied to marine environmental monitoring, disaster rescue, and marine resource development, bringing new opportunities for Taiwan's diversified economy.

On the political front, Taiwan has faced rapidly changing international security environments in recent years, particularly cross-strait relations and regional maritime power competition. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim emphasized that the independent research and development of defense technology is the key for Taiwan to maintain national security and self-defense capabilities. She pointed out that by encouraging local enterprises to participate in the research and development of unmanned vehicles, dependence on external technology can be reduced and the competitiveness of the overall industrial chain can be enhanced. The success of this exhibition also demonstrates the government's emphasis on marine technology innovation and echoes the policy direction of "indigenous defense." She called on the industry and academia to strengthen cooperation to form a complete ecosystem ranging from basic research to industrialization.

For Taiwanese enterprises, the unmanned vehicle market is in a period of rapid growth. A number of domestic technology companies and aerospace enterprises have already invested in related research and development, such as Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, United Microelectronics Corporation, and National Taiwan University. By participating in MATURE Taiwan, these companies can directly connect with the defense sector, obtain practical requirements and testing opportunities, and thereby accelerate product commercialization. More importantly, the exhibition also provides an exchange platform for international buyers and investors, paving the way for Taiwan's technology products to enter the international market. The Vice President stated that the government will strengthen financial and policy support for such industries in the future, encouraging more innovative entrepreneurial teams to enter the field of marine unmanned vehicles.

In summary, Vice President Hsiao's visit to the unmanned vehicle exhibition in Tainan symbolizes Taiwan's high regard for marine technology and defense autonomy. Through the promotion of such exhibitions, it can not only promote local industrial upgrading, but also secure a more favorable position for Taiwan in regional security and economic development. If domestic and foreign investment and technical cooperation can continue to be attracted in the future, Taiwan's marine unmanned vehicle industry is expected to become one of the world's important technology supply chains. (Fact source: Central News Agency)