TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Pentagon announced plans to deploy liaison officers to Taiwan and allied nations by year's end, the Financial Times reported Wednesday (Aug. 27), marking a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to strengthen drone technology cooperation and counter China's growing military influence. The initiative represents Washington's most direct technological partnership expansion with Taiwan in recent years. Pentagon officials emphasized the urgency of reinforcing defense ties as China's military capabilities advance rapidly across multiple domains.
The strategic initiative directly targets enhanced drone technology collaboration amid China's accelerating military modernization program. Pentagon insiders revealed that the U.S. liaison officer assigned to Taiwan will operate from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto U.S. embassy. Three additional sources confirmed that the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) will position liaison officers across allied nations by December to strengthen drone technology partnerships and integrate critical dual-use defense systems.
The U.S. Department of Defense underscored the critical importance of strengthening drone technology partnerships with Taiwan to counter China's rapid military advancement. A Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) spokesperson detailed plans to establish connections with strategic allies across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East regions. The comprehensive approach reflects growing Pentagon concerns about China's expanding military capabilities and regional influence across multiple theaters of operation.
The Defense Innovation Unit, established in 2015, focuses on bridging private sector technological innovation with military operational requirements to enhance America's defense industrial capabilities. Washington directed the DIU in 2023 to prioritize technologies deemed essential to U.S. military superiority, with autonomous systems including advanced drone platforms identified as critical strategic areas. The unit's expanded mandate reflects Pentagon recognition of emerging technological threats and competitive pressures in modern warfare. ◼
