Czechia eyes drone assembly in Taiwan

BATTLE-TESTED: Czech companies’ drones, software and navigation systems have been tested in the Ukraine war, while other countries’ are lab-tested, a Czech ex-official said

• By Fang Wei-li and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

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Czech manufacturers are interested in setting up drone assembly lines in Taiwan, former Czech Chamber of Deputies president Marketa Pekarova Adamova told a forum in Taipei yesterday.

Adamova made the comments at the inauguration of the Global UAV Academy, an organization dedicated to international cooperation in drone supply chains, technological certification and pilot training.

The Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology said the Czech Republic is the largest importer of Taiwanese drones and uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) components.

Former Czech Chamber of Deputies president Marketa Pekarova Adamova speaks at the inauguration of the Global UAV Academy in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times

Adamova, who transitioned to the defense industry after retiring from politics, said the Roman adage “si vis pacem, para bellum” — “If you want peace, prepare for war” — applies to a country’s relationship with its UAV sector.

Adamova introduced representatives of Czech-based drone, counter-UAV and autonomous interceptor makers that have plans to cooperate with Taiwan’s drone sector.

The companies include AVEC Systems, which makes autonomous interceptors and attack drones; Digitech Automotive, a software designer that has transitioned to UAV navigation systems; JISER, a NATO-certified counterdrone system producer; and Farpoint, which has an ongoing pilot-training collaboration with the academy, she said.

Twenty-four Taiwanese UAV pilots have already graduated from the collaboration, she added.

Farpoint is also working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open an office at the Asia UAV AI Innovation Research and Development Center in Chiayi, she said.

The Ukraine war has proven that conventional military doctrines are no longer adequate for meeting the rigors of modern warfare, she said.

UAV and counter-UAV systems proved to be valuable military capabilities, and the rapid evolution in technology and tactics has been rendering new systems obsolete within weeks of being fielded, Adamova said.

The Czech Republic is a significant contributor to Ukraine’s defense efforts, as the two countries are separated only by 300km, she said.

As a result, Czech industries have rich experience in developing battle-tested drones, software and navigation systems, compared with other manufacturers that can only test their platforms in labs, Adamova said.

Beyond warfighting, drones have many applications, such as critical infrastructure security, agriculture and logistics, she added.

Prosperity, democracy and livelihood lose all meaning if people cannot live in peace and security, which underscores the importance of Taiwan-Czech collaboration in drones, Adamova said.

Taiwan and the Czech Republic are like-minded countries with shared democratic values, and must work together to defend themselves against powerful foes, Adamova added.