TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a significant move to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) has confirmed the establishment of the "Advanced Defense Technology Team."
This initiative, inspired by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), aims to invest in mature technology projects of level five or above to ensure Taiwan maintains an asymmetric advantage in the defense of the Taiwan Strait.
The new team will amalgamate resources and energy from the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and private sector innovation units. Although it falls under the Integrated Assessment Directorate, Koo will personally oversee its operations. He emphasized that unlike the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Taiwan cannot afford to pour vast funds into entirely new fields. Instead, the focus will be on relatively mature technologies, such as new drones and ships, which are crucial for maintaining an asymmetric edge.
Strategic Priorities and Challenges
Koo highlighted the importance of having domestic production lines, a lesson underscored by the Russia-Ukraine War, due to the high attrition rates once conflicts begin. Currently, the ministry's immediate goal is to complete harbor acceptance tests (HAT) and subsequent sea acceptance tests (SAT) for the Indigenous Defense Submarine, prioritizing safety above all.
Upon assuming the role of defense minister, Koo identified enhancing asymmetric warfare capabilities, joint operations, societal resilience, and reserve force reform as his most urgent tasks. These initiatives reflect Taiwan's strategic approach to defense, focusing on leveraging advanced technology and innovation to counterbalance potential threats.
As Taiwan continues to navigate the complex security environment of the Taiwan Strait, the establishment of the Advanced Defense Technology Team marks a pivotal step in strengthening its defense posture through technological advancement and strategic innovation.
