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Jun 25
SK Group to meet Tesla and SpaceX leadership to pursue AI-infrastructure and memory partnerships
SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won is planning to meet Tesla and SpaceX leadership in the US at the end of June 2026 to advance cooperation on next-generation AI infrastructure, memory supply, and data-center projects, South Korean outlet Ddaily reported, citing industry sources. The meeting is expected to cover specific business collaboration plans with Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, though the exact date was kept confidential.
Groundhog Technologies is eyeing opportunities in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite applications by targeting the satellite resource optimization market, according to chairman David Chiou at the company's latest shareholders' meeting on June 24. Chiou also announced that Groundhog has won the first generative AI order worldwide in the field of telecom engineering, with Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) as its client.
To meet the aerospace industry's push for lighter, more environmentally sustainable next-generation aircraft, Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has stepped up research and development of thermoplastic composite materials in recent years.
Taiwan's Executive Yuan has decided to draft a separate special bill to support drone development and procurement after the Legislative Yuan cut relevant items from the NT$1.25 trillion (approx. US$39 billion) special budget for national defense, with the Executive Yuan citing national security concerns and the need to build an autonomous industrial supply chain. The move comes as a delegation of lawmakers, led by Speaker Daniel K.Y. Han, returns from a visit to TSMC's Arizona plant and meetings with US lawmakers, yet it remains unclear whether that trip will help win opposition support for the drone bill.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has revived a NT$210 billion (approx. US$6.6 billion) special bill for unmanned vehicle procurement after the Legislative Yuan in May 2026 stripped out all domestic-industry-friendly items from an earlier defense special budget, leaving only arms purchases. The Executive Yuan has now approved the draft, raising hopes and concerns across the drone industry.
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer Thunder Tiger recently participated in the Taiwan Expo in Europe 2026 in Warsaw, Poland, showcasing its combat solutions. It said European markets are prioritizing non-red supply chains. In addition to establishing a presence in Ohio, the company has obtained multiple certifications and is integrating with Taiwanese suppliers to build a non-Red supply chain ecosystem.
Taiwanese drone manufacturers are accelerating their expansion into overseas markets as domestic defense and program budgets remain unstable, executives said, making international sales the primary growth engine. Demand varies by region, and firms are increasingly emphasizing their non-China supply chains to address geopolitical concerns and customer requirements.

Mukesh Ambani's Jio Platforms plans a self-built LEO constellation to strengthen India's domestic communications infrastructure, paired with third-party satellite bandwidth leasing.

Taiwan-based Tongtai Machine & Tool is accelerating its transformation toward high-value manufacturing, leveraging growing opportunities in AI servers, semiconductors and aerospace. At its annual general meeting on June 17, shareholders approved all proposals and elected a new board that includes several aerospace industry veterans, underscoring the company's commitment to expanding into advanced manufacturing sectors despite a challenging operating environment.

Amid growing localization efforts across China's supply chain, FineMat Applied Materials has seen its metal mask business continue to shrink and is accelerating its transition into AI cooling, semiconductors, and drones. The company's liquid-cooling cold plates for AI applications have already been sampled by end customers and are expected to begin shipping in the second half of 2026. Once volume production ramps in 2027, cooling products could account for more than 50% of total revenue, becoming a key growth driver.

Taiwan's drone exports continue to gain momentum, driving local manufacturers to expand overseas more aggressively. But as they enter foreign markets, Taiwan companies face long local certification timelines and other regulatory hurdles, pushing their overseas strategies away from simple exports and toward localized production and joint ventures.