08/13/07
DEFENSE NEWS
Taiwan Awaits Defense Show
More than 30 foreign and 65 local exhibitors, including Raytheon, Dassault and Lockheed Martin, are expected to participate in the 8th Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE), scheduled for Aug. 16-19 at the Taipei World Trade Center.
TADTE will feature seminars on UAV systems, digital high-speed cameras for aerospace use and performance-based logistics.
The Ministry of National Defense will show off its new eight-wheel-drive Clouded Leopard armored personnel carrier and a new howitzer. Military-run Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology and state-run Aerospace Industry Development Corp. are expected to display full-scale models of the Hsiung Feng (Brave Wind) anti-ship missile and Tien Kung (Sky Bow) air defense missile.
Expectations are upbeat this year, in part due to recent passage of a defense budget by the legislature for 12 P-3C Orion maritime aircraft, an upgrade of Patriot PAC-2 air defense missiles, a feasibility study for submarines and a partial budget for 66 F-16 fighters. The budget had been stymied by political wrangling since 2004.
