Taiwan’s top defense research institute, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Anduril Industries, marking a rare and direct collaboration with one of the Pentagon’s most aggressive AI defense startups.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the agreement covers cooperation in areas including autonomous systems and the Lattice AI-enabled command and control platform, designed to support real-time battlefield decision-making. The deal opens the door for Taiwan to work with cutting-edge U.S. defense technologies amid its ongoing efforts to bolster indigenous unmanned aerial and surface vehicle capabilities.
The source said that while technology transfer is an important milestone, the real test lies in whether Taiwan can adopt the United States’ agile procurement model, known as Other Transaction Agreements (OTA).
“It’s not just about importing tech,” the source said. “It’s about changing the way we build, test, and deploy defense capabilities. OTA enables the kind of speed and flexibility needed in modern conflict. Whether Taiwan’s defense bureaucracy is ready to move that fast is still an open question.”
As part of this emerging partnership, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey is expected to visit Taiwan on August 4 to speak at the Taiwan AI Academy.
His speech, titled “Deterrence, Technology & Defending Taiwan,” will highlight the role of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence in shaping deterrence strategies—concepts Luckey has previously argued are vital to preventing conflict in the Taiwan Strait and beyond.
Anduril, founded in 2017 by Luckey and several former defense officials, has positioned itself at the forefront of AI-driven national security innovation. Its products include counter-drone systems, autonomous vehicles, surveillance tools, and advanced command platforms.
Anduril’s direct involvement in Taiwan’s defense sector comes despite growing Chinese pressure. In July 2024, China announced sanctions on the company, citing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The sanctions include property freezes, visa bans on senior executives, and a full ban on business activities within China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
In response, Anduril issued a blunt statement: “Looks like we’re doing something right. We remain unwavering in our commitment to defending democracy across the globe.”