Taiwan’s largest-ever defence exhibition, held in Taipei from 18 to 20 September, underscored the island’s escalating commitment to bolstering its military capabilities amid rising tensions with China. The event, which drew 400 exhibitors from 14 countries, served as a clear indicator of Taiwan’s intent to increase defence spending to 3.32 percent of GDP in 2026, up from approximately 2.4 percent this year. The exhibition also highlighted the growing prominence of the All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency, an organisation established in 2022 to strengthen deterrence against a potential Chinese invasion through asymmetric capabilities.
Defence exhibitions are a barometer of a country’s acquisition efforts, influencing manufacturers’ participation and shaping the types of equipment on display. This year’s Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition exceeded expectations, with the Ministry of National Defense (MND) unveiling new systems and staging high-profile demonstrations. The event also hosted forums on space technology and uncrewed systems, reflecting Taiwan’s focus on modernising its defence infrastructure.
A notable feature of the exhibition was the return of Elbit Systems of America, an Israeli firm that had not participated since 2001. The presence of Israeli companies, coupled with the MND’s close ties to Israel’s defence industry, sparked anti-Israel protests on the final day. Despite the controversy, the exhibition underscored the strategic importance of international partnerships in Taiwan’s defence strategy.
The All-Out Defense Initiative, a program aimed at modernising equipment, strengthening cyber-security, and building a national mobilisation plan, took centre stage at the event. The MND pavilion showcased an unprecedented range of systems, including US-made M1 Abrams main battle tanks, a variation of Taiwan’s Clouded Leopard armoured vehicle fitted with a 105 mm gun, multiple UAVs, and Thunder Tiger’s SeaShark 800 uncrewed boat. The most striking display was the Chiang-Kong high-altitude air defence system, which featured a mobile launcher with four canisters and a modern radar. The MND did not disclose the Chiang-Kong’s range or warhead specifications, but a source from the MND declined to rule out a future surface-to-surface variant. Such a development would align with Taiwan’s policy of all-out defence mobilisation and expand its ability to circumvent restrictions of the Missile Technology Control Regime, an international agreement aimed at limiting the proliferation of long-range weapons.
Taiwan’s defence-technology agency, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, is collaborating with US firms Kratos Defense on the Mighty Hornet attack UAV and with Anduril on the Barracuda-500 cruise missile. Anduril also displayed its torpedo-like Copperhead-500M autonomous underwater craft, designed to loiter and activate upon recognising enemy ship propellers. This type of weapon aligns with Taiwan’s “porcupine strategy,” which involves warding off Chinese invasion with small, numerous, and hard-to-find weapons.
The exhibition also highlighted Taiwan’s growing missile threat, with China fielding thousands of ballistic missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, and swarms of advanced attack drones. Taiwan has already mass-produced a land-attack cruise missile, though it has never displayed it publicly. The island has faced a steadily growing missile threat since Beijing fired short-range ballistic missiles into waters north and south of the island in 1996 in an attempt to influence an election.
As Taiwan continues to strengthen its defence capabilities, the exhibition served as a clear signal of the island’s determination to enhance its security posture. The event not only showcased new technologies but also underscored the strategic importance of international partnerships in shaping Taiwan’s defence strategy. With China’s military buildup and the evolving geopolitical landscape, Taiwan’s defence efforts will remain a critical focus in the years ahead.