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Wednesday 4 March 2026
US reverse-engineers Iran's Shahed drone to reshape asymmetric warfare with AI-powered LUCAS swarms
In late February 2026, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran, deepening an already entrenched Middle East stalemate. During Operation Epic Fury, the US military confirmed it had deployed low-cost suicide drones for the first time—repurposing and upgrading technology rooted in Iran's own designs.
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Taiwan lacks autonomous command system for drone swarm tactics
The US military's first deployment of low-cost suicide drones has become a standout feature in its recent operation against Iran, demonstrating that while individual units are inexpensive, the true advantage lies in advanced AI and communication technologies behind them.
Tuesday 3 March 2026
Getac eyes defense digitalization amid Middle East conflict escalation
The intensifying conflicts in the Middle East are fueling demand for defense digitalization. Getac Holdings chairman James Hwang noted that as countries worldwide increase their defense budgets and adopt new warfare technologies like drones and AI digitalization, Getac's defense-related revenue, which accounted for about 20% in 2025, is expected to grow further in 2026.
Tuesday 3 March 2026
UK space leaders join global industry figures at Space-Comm Expo

The organizers of Space-Comm Expo Europe have confirmed the final lineup of speakers for what is set to be Europe's largest commercial space gathering, taking place March 4-5 at ExCeL London.

Monday 2 March 2026
Military AI ethics conflict persists as Pentagon cuts ties with Anthropic, OpenAI secures classified AI deal
A high-stakes dispute between the US Department of War and AI company Anthropic has reshaped the emerging market for military AI, ending a major government partnership and clearing the way for rival OpenAI to step into classified defense deployments.
Monday 2 March 2026
US deploys LUCAS drone in Iran strike, mirroring Iran's Shahed-136 combat entrance

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that in its February 28 airstrike on Iran, it deployed for the first time the LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System), a low-cost combat attack drone manufactured by SpektreWorks and modeled on Iran's Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle.

Tuesday 24 February 2026
Taiwan bets on local production for 1,600-unit unmanned vessel fleet
Taiwan's military is rapidly expanding its unmanned vehicle fleet, with drone numbers surpassing 200,000 and procurement of over a thousand unmanned surface vessels (USVs) reportedly on the rise. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed a domestic-first approach for USV purchases, though foreign companies may participate through technology transfer partnerships with local manufacturers.
Sunday 15 February 2026
Column: US NDAA opens new defense manufacturing opportunities for Taiwan firms
The 2026 US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed at the end of 2025, introduces significant new business prospects for Taiwanese companies by emphasizing Taiwan's security and cooperation in defense procurement. Key provisions include a US$1 billion Taiwan security cooperation initiative and authorization for the US Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a joint unmanned systems program with Taiwan starting March 1, 2026, focusing on co-developing drones and counter-drone technologies.
Sunday 15 February 2026
Column: Trump's US$1.5T defense dream hits rust-belt reality
US President Donald Trump has requested a fiscal year 2027 defense budget of US$1.5 trillion. This represents a nearly 50% increase from fiscal year 2026's roughly US$1 trillion. Trump's goal is clear: rebuild a strong military. Experts expect the budget to significantly boost procurement for expanded naval fleets, advanced aircraft, and new nuclear missile programs.
Thursday 12 February 2026
Taiwan charts course toward defense autonomy with NT$400 billion push
For Taiwan, the threat of a Chinese blockade is not merely military — it is industrial. Beijing's tightening grip on global technology supply chains has made clear that any conflict could sever the island's access to the materials and components its defense sector depends on. Taipei's response is to build a defense industry that can sustain itself from within.
Wednesday 11 February 2026
CSBC eyes profit turnaround in 2026 with momentum from building submarines and vessels for Taiwan Navy
Taiwanese shipbuilding company CSBC expects to return to profitability in 2026 as its full-year 2025 revenue rebounded significantly, aligning with its operational plans despite ongoing losses. The company highlighted the momentum from Taiwan's indigenous defense shipbuilding program, including the recent fourth submerged test of the CSBC-built Hai Kun-class defense submarine off the coast of the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, with production schedules extending through 2038, underpinning long-term growth.
Monday 9 February 2026
Takaichi's election victory clears path for Japan's chip sovereignty, military buildup
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decisive victory in the lower house election has strengthened her government's ability to advance policies tied to economic security, bringing renewed attention to the future direction of Japan's semiconductor and defense technology agenda.
Thursday 5 February 2026
Taiwan invited to join Trump's Pax Silica initiative
Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-hsin Kung completed the sixth Taiwan-US Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) on January 27, 2026, with US Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg. During the meeting, the two sides signed the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration. According to the statement, as AI accelerates innovation and reshapes the global economy and supply chains, the two sides will deepen their comprehensive economic partnership and establish an economic security order based on trust, technological complementarity, shared interests, and a common commitment to a more prosperous future.
Wednesday 4 February 2026
Pentagon selects 25 vendors for attack drone program

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.

Monday 2 February 2026
Taiwan's defense institute partners with US firm to boost critical manufacturing capacity
Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has partnered with US-based B&P Littleford to forge a new chapter in Taiwan-US defense industry cooperation. The partnership will introduce advanced equipment and mature technologies, having successfully completed a capacity expansion plan for a 300-gallon pharmaceutical mixing facility and plant infrastructure after nearly four years of work.
Monday 2 February 2026
SpaceX weighs merger with Tesla or xAI ahead of planned IPO
SpaceX is in discussions to merge with other companies controlled by Elon Musk, including artificial intelligence startup xAI, as the rocket manufacturer prepares for a potential initial public offering later this year, Reuters reported.
Wednesday 28 January 2026
Taiwan bets on drone swarms with Anduril Lattice AI command playing key role
Taiwan has introduced an initiative to strengthen its air defense system by integrating US-made and domestically produced missiles and radars into a networked kill chain that it calls the "Taiwan Shield," or "Taiwan Dome." Such a program has drawn attention to the strategic value of integrated battle command systems (IBCS). Currently, proposals from US companies, Northrop Grumman and Anduril Industries, are under consideration by Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST).
Wednesday 28 January 2026
'Taiwan Dome' drives shift toward networked defense warfare

"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.

Tuesday 27 January 2026
G-Tech Optoelectronics ventures into military drones with Firestorm Labs, Aerkomm

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.

Monday 26 January 2026
Leading US defense companies deepen partnerships with Taiwan
The US views Taiwan as a key partner in advancing defense technologies, and is working closely with Taiwan's industry to combine the US's strengths in R&D and innovation with Taiwan's manufacturing and hardware expertise, according to American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) director Raymond Green.
Monday 26 January 2026
MIPS accelerates S8200 RISC-V NPU timeline

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.

Friday 23 January 2026
Taiwan reveals NT$1.25 trillion defense plan, targets 200,000-drone force

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.

Friday 23 January 2026
'Freedom isn't free': AIT director pledges US backing for Taiwan's asymmetric warfare strategy, defense supply chain
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene, on January 22, reaffirmed strong US support for Taiwan's defense modernization and defense-industry cooperation, underscoring that closer US-Taiwan collaboration is essential as Taiwan ramps up record defense spending and prioritizes asymmetric warfare capabilities.
Thursday 22 January 2026
Advanced lenses become critical as drones move beyond photography
As the global drone market enters a new growth curve in 2026, an "airspace revolution" driven by military reconnaissance, industrial inspection, and logistics delivery is emerging as the next strategic frontier for the optical-lens industry after smartphones. For optics manufacturers, drones are no longer simply cameras that happen to fly; they are complex optoelectronic systems that integrate high-precision imaging, environmental sensing, and edge computing.
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Taiwan Ministry of National Defense releases major drone procurement order, increasing domestic IC design investment
After the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Taiwan completed a classified report to the Legislative Yuan on a special military procurement bill totaling NT$1.25 trillion (approx. USS$39.4 billion), it also released plans to purchase more than 200,000 units of various types of drones. Additionally, 1,000 unmanned surface vessels, in hopes of establishing stronger asymmetric warfare capabilities. Although the planned procurement of more than 200,000 drones is still somewhat lower than current demand in Ukraine and Eastern European countries, it still represents a good opportunity for Taiwan's supply chain to demonstrate its capabilities.