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- Taiwan-UK drone alliance begins talks on development, marketing after signing
- Officials explore energy reserves, ship escorts as Beijing expands pressure
TAIPEI, (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday for a drone industry partnership at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The signing came during a week of Farnborough deals for Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.. In a separate Friday statement, AIDC said it had secured more than NT$22 billion (USD 680 million) in new civil aviation and engine orders, after renewing a distribution contract with a major US aerospace systems company earlier in the week.
The drone pact says Taiwan and the UK will establish a platform for drone research and development and marketing, while helping each other expand internationally. It aims to promote concrete cooperation and bilateral investment to strengthen technological capabilities and global competitiveness.
AIDC president Chuang Hsiu-mei (莊秀美) signed the MOU with ADS Group CEO Kevin Craven. The signing was witnessed by Taiwan Representative to the UK Yao Chin-hsiang (姚金祥) and ADS group director of International Affairs Julie Marionneau.
Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance Chair Tsao Chin-ping (曹進平) delegated Chuang to lead the Taiwan Aerospace Industry Association and several member firms. Chuang said Taiwan is well positioned to become the UK’s safest, most reliable, and most capable manufacturing partner in the Asia-Pacific.
Craven welcomed the partnership and said the platform would leverage complementary strengths in technology development and manufacturing to drive continued growth. He added that cooperation with the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance is expected to generate new global business opportunities.
ADS Group is a UK industry association covering the aerospace, defense, security, and space sectors and is the parent company of Farnborough International, the event organiser. It helps more than 2,000 members pursue cooperation across the four industries.
The Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance was co-founded by AIDC and the Metal Industries Research and Development Centre under the guidance of the ministry of economic affairs. Tsao heads the alliance, while the research center handles administrative affairs, drone industry integration, and connections between government and companies in Taiwan and overseas.
Meanwhile, Taiwan is expanding preparations to maintain energy and supply lines as China increases maritime pressure around the country, the New York Times reported Saturday.
Taiwanese officials are reviewing ways to keep fuel and other essential imports flowing if Beijing attempts to restrict access to Taiwan, according to officials familiar with the planning. China has conducted military exercises in recent years simulating operations to isolate Taiwan.
The issue has gained urgency as Taiwan depends on imports for about 95 percent of its energy needs, with natural gas accounting for roughly half of its electricity generation. Recent disruptions to global energy routes, including concerns over the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict, have highlighted the risks facing energy-dependent economies.
Officials have conducted tabletop exercises to prepare for a potential siege scenario and are planning drills involving ship escorts, rerouting vessels to ports, and managing critical supplies. Four officials said the exercises are aimed at identifying weaknesses in Taiwan’s response plans.
Taiwan is also exploring options to strengthen energy security, including floating liquefied natural gas storage and processing facilities, emergency reserves, and extending the use of nuclear power. Energy Administration deputy director-general Chen Chung-hsien (陳崇憲) said Taiwan has been reviewing worst-case scenarios and regularly conducts exercises related to national security.
Taiwan currently maintains at least 11 days of natural gas reserves and has storage capacity for up to 20 days. Chen said floating facilities could provide more flexibility in receiving and distributing natural gas during an emergency, though finding suitable locations remains difficult.
Taiwan’s three liquefied natural gas terminals are on the west coast, where they could be vulnerable during a conflict. While the mountainous east coast is farther from China, officials said it lacks the ports, roads, and infrastructure needed to handle large gas shipments.
Taiwan is also considering whether to reverse the closure of some nuclear power plants to strengthen electricity supplies, per the New York Times. Foundation for Defense of Democracies China Program Senior Director Craig Singleton said a recent tabletop exercise with Taiwanese officials and business leaders showed the need to diversify both energy sources and delivery routes.
Prospect Foundation President Lai I-chung (賴怡忠) said China’s recent actions in waters east of Taiwan appeared to test a possible quarantine operation, per the New York Times. Taiwanese security officials said China has regularly deployed naval vessels around Taiwan, while coast guard ships have increased their presence.
Taiwanese officials have also held simulations involving scenarios in which China requires ships approaching Taiwan to seek approval and sends coast guard vessels to inspect or seize cargo. The exercises highlighted the need for better coordination among government agencies responsible for energy, agriculture, transportation, and emergency response.
China’s maritime activities around Taiwan have increased in recent months, with the Taiwan Coast Guard estimating Chinese government ships sailed near Taiwan’s main island 85 times in May and June, compared with 45 times during the same period last year.
Tamkang University adjunct professor Jing Yuan-chou (荊元宙) said China’s gradual use of gray zone tactics could intensify, per the New York Times.
“But the nibbling lays the way for if they ever want to try to devour us,” he added.