U.S. defense industry plans first Taiwan trip in four years

Contractors to explore co-production of drones and ammunition

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U.S. airmen with an Air Force drone in Afghanistan in March 2016. Uncrewed vehicles are seen as key to deterring a Chinese attack on Taiwan. © Reuters

RYO NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writer

WASHINGTON -- Around 25 U.S. defense contractors plan to send representatives to Taiwan in early May to discuss joint production of drones and ammunition, US Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers told Nikkei, as Washington explores various options to help bolster the island's defenses.

The delegation will be led by Steven Rudder, the retired commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. This would be the first large group of envoys focused specifically on the defense industry to visit Taiwan from the U.S. since 2019.

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