The US Department of War has invited 25 companies to compete in the first phase of a major initiative to deploy low-cost, weaponized one-way attack drones at scale. The move is part of a broader effort to overhaul the military acquisition system and counter the rising influence of unmanned systems on the battlefield.
"Taiwan Dome" has emerged as a key concept in Taiwan's defense strategy, drawing increased attention across the defense and technology sectors. The approach centers on system integration to build a networked combat architecture, placing greater emphasis on command platforms capable of coordinating operations across multiple domains. Alongside close cooperation between Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense and the US to introduce advanced technologies, Taiwanese companies are also expanding their investments in related areas.
G-Tech Optoelectronics (GTOC) said its wholly owned subsidiary has partnered with US defense technology startup Firestorm Labs and aerospace and defense solutions provider Aerkomm to advance next-generation military drone production and combat system integration, marking GTOC's entry into the military-grade unmanned aerial vehicle market. The company plans to establish a drone assembly line in Taiwan.
MIPS has accelerated the development timeline of its S8200 neural processing unit, a RISC-V–based NPU designed for real-time, low-latency edge AI, as the company continues to advance its strategy around what it calls "Physical AI," following its integration into GlobalFoundries.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has released select non-classified details of a special military procurement package totaling NT$1.25 trillion (approx. US$39.5 billion), offering a clearer picture of a strategic shift from conventional warfare toward technology-driven operations.
Taiwan-based advanced materials supplier UHT Unitech has signed a memorandum of understanding with aerospace manufacturer Fong Jaw Aerospace to jointly develop, manufacture and sell a medium-payload vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle branded as Cougar, as the partners seek opportunities in global defense and high-end commercial drone markets.
The US Department of Commerce recently said it would withdraw a previously proposed policy to impose a blanket ban on imports of Chinese-made drones, easing immediate regulatory pressure but reviving questions in some quarters about the trajectory of non-China drone supply chains. Taiwanese chipmakers that have invested heavily in drone-related technologies have taken a more measured stance, saying that policy adjustments in Washington have not altered the underlying demand for non-China supply chains, particularly in defense applications.
