Green legislator invites experts to forum, hopes to support defense budget to strengthen maritime defense capabilities
Legislator Chen Kuan-ting's office, United Pacific Innovation Alliance (UPIA), and Taiwan Thinktank co-hosted a forum, inviting US defense policy experts to discuss maritime security and unmanned system integration. Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery stated that Taiwan needs to increase its defense budget to address the demand for low-cost, high-quantity unmanned vehicles in the Taiwan Strait and sophisticated equipment for high-end threats on the east coast. He emphasized that if Taiwan does not actively defend itself, US President Donald Trump might respond punitively. Chen Kuan-ting mentioned that Taiwan is actively promoting defense industry cooperation, and an aerospace park for unmanned platforms in his constituency is expected to open in August this year, welcoming US companies to establish joint ventures.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 15:49
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Chen Kuan-ting issued a press release after the meeting, stating that the forum was co-hosted by Chen Kuan-ting's congressional office, the United Pacific Innovation Alliance (UPIA), and the Taiwan Thinktank. It invited US defense policy experts, unmanned vehicle technology companies, and investors to Taiwan to exchange views with the Taiwanese government and industry on issues such as maritime security, unmanned system integration, and supply chain resilience.
Chen Kuan-ting said that recent foreign media reports have discussed the rising military pressure in the Taiwan Strait, leading to discussions about emigration and asset outflow. However, he believes that instead of being a guest in someone else's country, it is better to be the master of one's own destiny. Taiwan is building multi-domain deterrence capabilities with asymmetric warfare and resilient defense as its core, and maritime unmanned systems are key to this strategy.
Chen Kuan-ting further pointed out that strengthening maritime defense is significant in avoiding misjudgment by Beijing. Taiwan is also prepared to be a responsible partner in the Indo-Pacific region, building a more resilient defense system through local capabilities and international cooperation.
Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated at the forum that Taiwan must simultaneously address the demand for low-cost, high-quantity unmanned vehicles in the Taiwan Strait and the need for sophisticated equipment to counter high-end threats on the east coast. Both are indispensable, which is why Taiwan's defense budget must continue to increase.
Montgomery believes that US President Donald Trump will not distinguish between the KMT or DPP, but will look at whether Taiwan as a whole demonstrates its determination for self-defense. If Taiwan does not actively increase its defense budget, Trump will respond punitively to Taiwan as a whole, and Taiwan will lose a reliable US partner.
Montgomery said that the current military interoperability between the US and Taiwan is at the lowest level among all US Asian operational partners. If it is not improved as soon as possible, serious consequences will arise once a conflict occurs. In addition, cooperation between Taiwan and US companies has the opportunity to establish a "non-red supply chain" that excludes Chinese elements, which is a unique strategic advantage that other countries cannot provide.
Chen Kuan-ting responded by saying that unmanned vehicles play a crucial role in current and future battlefields. If nothing is done today, there will be consequences tomorrow. In addition, Taiwan has actively promoted defense industry cooperation. His constituency has an aerospace park specifically for unmanned platforms, which is expected to open in August this year, welcoming US companies to establish joint ventures and jointly build Taiwan's unmanned vehicle production capacity. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng)1150407
Chen Kuan-ting said that recent foreign media reports have discussed the rising military pressure in the Taiwan Strait, leading to discussions about emigration and asset outflow. However, he believes that instead of being a guest in someone else's country, it is better to be the master of one's own destiny. Taiwan is building multi-domain deterrence capabilities with asymmetric warfare and resilient defense as its core, and maritime unmanned systems are key to this strategy.
Chen Kuan-ting further pointed out that strengthening maritime defense is significant in avoiding misjudgment by Beijing. Taiwan is also prepared to be a responsible partner in the Indo-Pacific region, building a more resilient defense system through local capabilities and international cooperation.
Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated at the forum that Taiwan must simultaneously address the demand for low-cost, high-quantity unmanned vehicles in the Taiwan Strait and the need for sophisticated equipment to counter high-end threats on the east coast. Both are indispensable, which is why Taiwan's defense budget must continue to increase.
Montgomery believes that US President Donald Trump will not distinguish between the KMT or DPP, but will look at whether Taiwan as a whole demonstrates its determination for self-defense. If Taiwan does not actively increase its defense budget, Trump will respond punitively to Taiwan as a whole, and Taiwan will lose a reliable US partner.
Montgomery said that the current military interoperability between the US and Taiwan is at the lowest level among all US Asian operational partners. If it is not improved as soon as possible, serious consequences will arise once a conflict occurs. In addition, cooperation between Taiwan and US companies has the opportunity to establish a "non-red supply chain" that excludes Chinese elements, which is a unique strategic advantage that other countries cannot provide.
Chen Kuan-ting responded by saying that unmanned vehicles play a crucial role in current and future battlefields. If nothing is done today, there will be consequences tomorrow. In addition, Taiwan has actively promoted defense industry cooperation. His constituency has an aerospace park specifically for unmanned platforms, which is expected to open in August this year, welcoming US companies to establish joint ventures and jointly build Taiwan's unmanned vehicle production capacity. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng)1150407
FAQ
Who are the organizers of this forum?
The forum was co-hosted by Chen Kuan-ting's congressional office, the United Pacific Innovation Alliance (UPIA), and the Taiwan Thinktank.
What is Rear Admiral Montgomery's view on Taiwan's defense budget?
Rear Admiral Montgomery believes that Taiwan must continue to increase its defense budget to simultaneously address the demand for low-cost, high-quantity unmanned vehicles in the Taiwan Strait and the need for sophisticated equipment to counter high-end threats on the east coast.