On April 2, Dr. Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, CEO of DSET, led a delegation to the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, D.C. The visit focused on discussions surrounding the Taiwan-U.S. collaboration in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), artificial intelligence (AI) applications, and the reshaping of defense technology supply chains. Key CNAS experts participating in the meeting included Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn, Dr. Carlton Haelig, and Josh Wallin.
The two sides held in-depth exchanges on Taiwan’s proposed three-phase drone warfare concept, the strategy of developing a “non-red supply chain,” and the technological bottlenecks in autonomous AI combat systems. This engagement builds upon previous dialogues, including the 2024 CNAS report Swarms over the Strait: Drone Warfare in a Future Fight to Defend Taiwan—the first comprehensive U.S. think tank report dedicated to Taiwan-U.S. drone cooperation.
In response to the CNAS report and based on a series of interviews with Taiwan’s drone industry stakeholders and experts from government, academia, and the private sector, DSET presented highlights from its forthcoming Taiwan-U.S. drone cooperation report. The report outlines Taiwan’s strategy to develop a counter-amphibious landing concept centered around small and medium-sized drones and emphasizes the critical need for allied technical collaboration and supply chain integration.
Dr. Chang emphasized, “Taiwan is not merely a technology recipient—we can co-design, co-manufacture, and co-defend with our allies. Whether for military or commercial applications, we are building a trusted, de-Sinicized industrial base.”
CNAS experts offered recommendations on advancing Taiwan’s domestic drone manufacturing capabilities and future integration of AI technologies. Dr. Chang noted that while Taiwan possesses the ability to design and produce various drone subsystems, the nation still lacks sufficient momentum in the development of military-grade critical chips. He reiterated DSET’s advocacy for building a “non-red supply chain” through collaborations with the U.S. and other allies to create a scalable, secure commercial platform that mitigates the risks of Chinese technology infiltration.
DSET also highlighted the challenges posed by China’s state-driven industrial policy, which designates “national champion” enterprises to dominate key drone components—particularly batteries and control chips—through vertically integrated, export-focused monopolies.
During the meeting, DSET shared successful Taiwan-U.S. collaboration cases in the small and medium-sized drone sector, demonstrating rapid production potential and supply chain integration. CNAS Senior Fellow Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn remarked, “There is tremendous potential for Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in unmanned systems and supply chain security. Facing China’s asymmetric economic and technological strategies, democratic allies need to strengthen collective resilience.”
The two sides also explored the implications of U.S. policy initiatives to restrict Chinese-made drones, and how such measures could incentivize the growth of a secure, rules-based drone ecosystem among democratic nations.