The world's top manufacturers of aerospace and defense equipment are set to show off their wares alongside local industry leaders at the sixth Taipei Aerospace Technology Exhibition, which begins tomorrow.
Foreign firms will outnumber local exhibitors 29 to 15 this year. Visitors will include Dassault, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Rolls-Royce. Top local representatives scheduled to attend the event are the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (中山科學研究院), the Combined Services Force (聯勤總司令部), Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (漢翔航空) and the Taiwan Aerospace Corp (台翔航太).
Some exhibitors, with whom Taiwan has done considerable business before, will be using the opportunity to convince the Taiwan military to upgrade their existing products, while others hope to cement new business deals.
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, which has sold some 60 AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters to Taiwan, is now keen to sell either the latest version of a ship -- the AH-1Z -- or upgrade the existing fleet with the more advanced technology, according to company sources.
Other exhibitors are looking to make sales based on perceived deficiencies in Taiwan's armoury.
Pointing to Taiwan's aging squadrons of M41, M60A3 tanks, General Motors Defense executives said the company will offer its Light Armoured Vehcicle Generation 3, which would give Taiwan's armor with greater speed and mobility.
With the navy and airforce purchasing new high-tech platforms over the last decade -- such as the 150 US-made F-16 fighters and the 60 French-built Mirage 2000-5s and six Lafayette frigates -- the executive said it was time for the army to get some new equipment.
The offering from the local side while effective, is not expected to raise too many eyebrows, as most items were developed some time ago.
Heavy weapon systems developed by the Chung Shan Institute and set for display include the Hsiung Feng-II anti-ship missile, land-based Tien Chien-I air defense missile, and the Tien Chien-II medium-range air-to-air missile, according to the institute.
The Chung Hsiang-II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will also be on display, Shen said.
The Combined Services will showcase its range of small arms and field equipment including 5.56mm T-86 rifle, 40mm grenades, the 9mm T-75K1 handgun, digital military maps and new combat boots, according to local defense officials.
Erich Shih (
Indeed Shih said that the government does not know how to promote the local aerospace industry.
Citing Brazil as an example, Shih said: "Brazil had asked for cooperation from Taiwan in the manufacturing of civil airplanes several years ago."
"Now Brazil is one of the major airplane makers in the world. We just missed the chance to grow with Brazil," Shih said.
But Taiwan may get another chance, as Brazillian aircraft maker Embraer -- which is the fourth-largest maker of commercial planes in the world -- will be attending the exhibition and is said to be keen on boosting its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
TATE will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday and will be held at the Taipei World Trade Center.
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