Greetings from the launch of the USSC report Australia-Taiwan relations: Policy options and priorities for engagement . This is a timely report, given the uncertain geopolitical situation in our part of the world. This afternoon I drafted my presentation for Australian Defense Tech Hackathon, which starts tomorrow. In my presentation I make the point that senior military people look at what universities produce, be it strategic analysis or new drones.
The SSSC report recommends stronger economic ties with Taiwan. They also recommend improving understanding of Australia's One-China Policy. This is a difficult task, as the policy is deliberately ambiguous and contradictory. The report recommends "Operationalise Australia’s whole-of-government approach to deterrence", which sounds like mobilisation for war.
There are perhaps areas Australia can co-operate with Taiwan on defence and industry. Australia has drone submarine and aircraft projects proceeding well with US companies. However there are no armed vehicle or surface vessel equivalents. Perhaps they could be developed with Taiwan. I asked the panel and they suggested the Australian government could encourage company to company dual use projects. This is a way to avoid upsetting China too much. I guess the projects could be a rugged robot off-road vehicle suitable for mining and an uncrewed offshore windfarm support vessel. The vehicle would be able to carry shipping container size fuel tank which can refuel mining trucks automatically, and also drone aircraft. The ship coul repair wind farms automatically and also rearm submarines.
