British Defense Supplies Taiwan Amid Growing Alarm
Taiwan Purchases Turkish Drones From UK
Overt Operator
September 22, 2023
Analysis
Both Taiwan and the United Kingdom are on high alert toward China following recent aggressive behavior from the PRC. At such a time of high political tensions with the Chinese state, Taiwan and the a British firm have reached a defense deal that highlights the strength of the two nations’ relationship.
Taiwanese aerospace manufacturer GEOSAT Aerospace and Technology has drawn up an agreement with Flyby Technology, a British Firm, to acquire Jackal UAV drones, originally produced in Turkey, Defense News reported on September 22.
Media reports state that Taiwan signed a contract to buy 160 Jackal drones from Flyby Technology on September 14.
Taiwan arranged the purchase through Flyby Technology because Flyby reportedly owns the IP rights to the Jackal UAV. The deal was applauded by defense media wires as a “score” for Flyby Technology.
Defense spending priorities have ramped up in Taiwan as China’s aggressive tactics continue to pressure the region. On September 19, reports explained how Taiwan’s defense ministry observed the “harassment” from the Chinese military, as China flew “150 military planes” toward Taiwan’s island.
The Taiwanese Defense minister has cautioned regional allies that China’s recent flight patterns are “abnormal,” and likewise explained Taiwan’s initial analysis on China’s movements. The Defense ministry concluded that China had been conducting joint exercises up until September.
In anticipation of China’s next movements, Taiwan’s Defense ministry monitors its aggressor’s “long-range artillery”
In late August, Britain renewed that commitment politically, calling Taiwan an “independent country” even as U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly made a state visit to China.
As Britain continues to process the consequences of a recently exposed China-linked espionage scandal in Parliament, the European nation will shift its policy toward China.
The domestic political push in Britain for a "tougher stance" on China is expected to make Britain a highly alert ally of Taiwan as the Chinese state's aggressive behaviors continue to alarm the world.
Britain’s high political alert toward China and the Flyby purchase deal comes at a time when Taiwan needs to secure strong options for its defense pipeline, including alternatives to the United States due to Congress slow downs.
U.S.Congress has reached a shut down phase, which experts warned could delay the transfer of military aid to Taiwan and Ukraine, two national allies that the U.S. holds as high defense partnership priorities, Defense One reported.
Even as the flow of relief may stall from the United States, other allies have been keen to assist Taiwan. Since March, members of the British Parliament have urged the British government to extend “as much help as possible” to the island nation.
Now, with political conditions primed and a defense deal in the work, Britain poses to proceed with ongoing Taiwan aid prompts. Political analysts wait to see if the renewed sense of alarm will create a shift.