The 2015 US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference opened on Sunday, US Time, in Virginia with an emphasis on cybersecurity and the sale of submarines.
At the opening ceremony, US-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers spoke about the possibility of Taiwan buying submarines from the US. He said that there will be a window of opportunity for that to happen. However, he said that with both Taipei and Washington set to elect a new president next year, it remains uncertain how that will develop.
Hammond-Chambers’ remarks follow on the heels of a recent comment by a Taiwanese defense ministry official, who said Taiwan is also hoping to acquire from the US the technology needed to build its own submarines.
This year’s defense industry conference will also focus on Taiwan’s defense needs and the defense ties between the two sides. Strengthening Taiwan’s cyberpower, an issue raised by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, will also be on the table.