As the only Taiwanese exhibitor at the 2024 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) show, Thunder Tiger is strengthening its presence for the second consecutive year, demonstrating notable evolution in its offerings.
The company has secured larger exhibition space this year, generating significant interest with its new line of suicide drones. Thunder Tiger notes increased inquiries compared to 2023, particularly from attendees from Israel, Ukraine, and Europe.
In a recent development, Thunder Tiger collaborated with 24 partners across Taiwan's drone industry to present the "Drone Taiwan" area focused on AIoT technologies. The showcase featured its longstanding partnership with Chunghwa Telecom on drone base station applications, alongside its newly developed suicide drone.
Having made history in 2023 as the first Taiwanese drone manufacturer to debut at a military expo with its reconnaissance drones, Thunder Tiger has pivoted in 2024 to featuring a self-developed disposable suicide drone inspired by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have been utilizing such drones for reconnaissance followed by rapid, cost-effective attacks using first-person view (FPV) drones equipped with warheads to achieve asymmetric warfare goals.
Drone industry insiders indicate that while Israel's air defense systems have successfully intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, the economic impact remains substantial. These defenses often use expensive missiles to counter drones that may cost only US$10,000 to US$50,000, highlighting a preference for quantity over speed in contemporary battlefields.
Thunder Tiger positions its suicide drone as a strategic entry point into the US market, complementing its existing reconnaissance drones and future plans for underwater vehicles.
The AUSA show primarily hosts government defense representatives and military industry professionals, with strict access restrictions in place. The exhibition explicitly bars attendees from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Russia, underscoring the commitment of the US and its democratic allies to eliminate red supply chains. This context has heightened interest in the 100% Taiwanese-made drones.
Beyond military applications, Thunder Tiger continues its partnership with Chunghwa Telecom to showcase a disaster relief communications drone system at the AIoT exhibition. This drone can carry communication equipment to provide wireless relay missions during emergencies, ensuring connectivity in the event of large-scale power outages due to natural disasters.
The first-generation system uses ground cables for power, while the second-generation system integrates anti-drone phased array radar with Chunghwa Telecom's micro base station technology. Leveraging swarm technology, this system aims to create a mesh network that enhances disaster response efficiency. Looking ahead, the two companies will actively pursue domestic and international opportunities in communications for disaster relief.
