Taiwan’s largest defense exhibition—TADTE 2025—opened in Taipei with record-breaking scale and international attention. As the island faces mounting security challenges from China, the biennial event has become a key platform for showcasing Taiwan’s growing capabilities in indigenous weapons systems, aerospace technologies, and dual-use electronics. This year’s show reflects a strategic pivot toward self-reliance in critical defense technologies including UAVs, radar systems, naval platforms, and AI-enabled command-and-control solutions.
Record Participation Reflects Strategic Shift Toward Indigenous Capabilities
The Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025 features over 300 exhibitors across more than 1,200 booths—a significant increase compared to the previous edition. The show is co-organized by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), with support from major domestic players such as the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST), Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), and CSBC Corporation.
This year’s theme emphasizes “Smart Defense” and “Resilient Supply Chains,” aligning with Taiwan’s broader strategy to domestically produce critical military systems amid increasing geopolitical risks. According to TAITRA officials cited by DigiTimes, the show also aims to deepen global supply chain cooperation in aerospace components—particularly in avionics subsystems and drone electronics.
Unmanned Systems Take Center Stage
Reflecting global trends and local urgency around asymmetric warfare capabilities, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were a central focus at TADTE 2025. NCSIST unveiled several upgraded variants of its Teng Yun MALE UAV platform—including a new electronic warfare configuration equipped with modular jamming pods—and showcased its Albatross II tactical drone optimized for maritime ISR missions around Taiwan’s littoral zones.
Private Taiwanese firms such as GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology Inc. displayed their latest FPV drones designed for swarming operations—a capability increasingly relevant given lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield use of low-cost kamikaze drones. Meanwhile Thunder Tiger Group presented autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for harbor defense roles.
- Teng Yun II: MALE-class UAV with improved endurance (~24 hrs), SATCOM link integration for BLOS operations
- Albatross II: Tactical ISR drone featuring EO/IR payloads and maritime radar
- Chien Hsiang Loitering Munition: Anti-radiation drone targeting enemy radar installations; now entering serial production
C4ISR Integration and AI-Enabled Command Systems on Display
Taiwanese defense integrators highlighted advances in C4ISR infrastructure—especially those leveraging artificial intelligence for real-time decision support. NCSIST demonstrated a prototype multi-domain operations center that fuses data from UAV feeds, ground radars, SIGINT sensors, and satellite imagery into a single command interface using AI-assisted threat prioritization algorithms.
Also notable was the debut of an indigenous software-defined radio (SDR) system compatible with NATO-standard waveforms such as Link-16 equivalents. These developments aim to enhance joint force interoperability while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers vulnerable to export restrictions or sabotage.
Aerospace Industry Pushes Dual-Use Innovation
The Taiwanese aerospace sector used TADTE 2025 to highlight its growing role not only in military applications but also commercial aviation supply chains. AIDC showcased its work on next-generation turbofan engine components co-developed with major Western OEMs under ITAR-compliant frameworks. Several firms also promoted dual-use avionics modules adaptable for both fighter jets like the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) upgrade program and civilian aircraft retrofits.
This dual-use strategy is part of Taiwan’s economic resilience doctrine—leveraging commercial innovation pipelines to accelerate military R&D without triggering overt arms race dynamics or violating international export control regimes.
Naval Platforms Emphasize Littoral Defense Readiness
Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corporation presented scale models of its upcoming Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvettes equipped with HF-3 anti-ship missiles—a core element of Taiwan’s “porcupine” asymmetric deterrence strategy against PLA Navy incursions. The MND also confirmed plans to accelerate delivery timelines for additional minelayers and fast attack craft optimized for counter-amphibious operations along Taiwan’s western coastlines.
NCSIST additionally revealed an updated version of its Sea Oryx short-range naval air defense system featuring improved tracking radars compatible with AESA upgrades under development since 2023.
International Delegations Signal Growing Interest Despite Diplomatic Constraints
Despite lacking formal diplomatic recognition by most countries due to pressure from Beijing, TADTE continues to attract quiet but significant international participation. Delegations from Europe—including Czechia and Lithuania—as well as unofficial observers from U.S.-aligned Indo-Pacific states reportedly attended closed-door briefings on Taiwanese missile programs and ISR capabilities.
This underscores growing interest among like-minded democracies in collaborating with Taipei on resilient supply chains for critical defense technologies—including semiconductors used in guidance systems—as well as potential co-development paths that bypass traditional export control chokepoints imposed by China-sensitive regimes.
Outlook: From Showcase to Strategic Posture Shift
TADTE 2025 marks more than just an industry showcase—it reflects a maturing strategic posture by Taipei toward long-term self-sufficiency in core military domains. With expanded production lines for loitering munitions like Chien Hsiang; increased investment into AI-driven C4ISR; robust growth in dual-use aerospace manufacturing; and an evolving naval doctrine centered on littoral denial—the trajectory is clear: Taiwan is preparing not just to defend itself but to shape regional deterrence through technological resilience.
