Aerospace and defense expo gets underway in Taipei

2015/08/17

Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition kicked off Aug. 13 at Taipei World Trade Center, showcasing advanced systems and technologies from 126 international exhibitors in 694 booths.

Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the biennial four-day event boasts a 27 percent increase in exhibitor numbers from 2013 and is forecast to lift the annual output of Taiwan’s aerospace industry by 4 percent to NT$47.9 billion (US$1.49 billion).

TAITRA President Peter Huang said new additions to the exhibition this year include general aviation and high-precision aerospace machine tools. “This development is testament to the robust development of the local aerospace industry and increasing importance of civil aviation flight training and unmanned aerial vehicles.

“Such trends are expected to fuel the transformation of this sector in Taiwan and expand the global presence of local enterprises.”

According to Huang, a state-of-the-art drone developed by National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology at the Ministry of National Defense pavilion heads an impressive lineup of homegrown UAVs at the event.

“We are pleased to report that a civilian UAV procurement deal valued at US$1 million annually has been signed by Carbon-Based Technology Inc. from Taichung City and U.S. defense contractor Navmar Applied Sciences Corp.,” he said, adding that this was a first for local aerospace industry.

Equally eye-catching are advanced weapons systems utilizing the latest Taiwan defense technology. A total of 89 items are on display at the MND pavilion, comprising units like the Sea Oryx missile system, also developed by CSIST, and Steel Ball High Explosive Rocket System, designed to repel landing operations.

Overseas firms participating in the exhibition include Becker Electronics Taiwan Ltd., General Dynamics Mission Systems, Jepico Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., Milatek UG, Rockwell Collins and Teng Tools International, according to TAITRA.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233820&ctNode=413)