Taiwan signed a partnership agreement on Tuesday with U.S.-based Auterion and German-based Auterion to provide drone software that has been tested in Ukraine. The deal will help Taiwan strengthen its defences against the growing military threat from China, which is a giant neighbor.

Auterion's software is used by Ukrainian drones that conduct combat missions against Russia. The company said the deal may lead to millions of drones being manufactured for Taiwan.

China considers democratically-governed Taiwan to be its territory. It has increased its military pressure in the last five years and even staged half a dozen war games. Taiwan's government denies Beijing's claims of sovereignty.

Taiwan has studied how Ukraine uses drones in the air, on the sea and to counterbalance Russia's numerical advantages in the battlefield. China also has more forces than Taiwan.

Auterion announced that it has agreed to a partnership with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (the research and development arm of the Ministry of Defence) for uncrewed drones and software for drone swarming.

"What we bring to the table is proven in Ukraine as a way to deter aggression, destroy naval assets and destroy expensive tanks and equipment. Lorenz Meier, Auterion's CEO, said that Taiwan could deter China by building an autonomous fleet.

The partnership is long-term. "The partnership is super long-term."

Taiwan, under pressure from the United States has worked to transform its military to be able wage "asymmetric war", using mobile, often cheaper weapons that still have a powerful punch. These include drones and missiles mounted on trucks.

Chung-Shan president Lee Shih-chiang expressed his gratitude to the five foreign companies that participated in the Suao Exhibition.

He added, "I think you will be sanctioned soon by the Chinese government. But do not worry, as you have chosen to support democracy."

Ukraine has deployed sea drones to not only attack ships in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, but to also shoot down aircraft.

Unmanned sea drones were on display in Suao, including those that can be loaded with explosives and used for high-speed suicide mission. They also included smaller craft capable of low-profile surveillance. (Reporting and writing by Ann Wang, Ben Blanchard, Michael Perry; editing by Michael Perry).

(source: Reuters)