Drone Wars Taiwan’s Strategy and Scaling Tech for Modern Conflict: Ellen Chang Part II
Jan 8, 2026
Ellen Chang, a deep-tech investor and Co-President of Wharton Aerospace, shares her insights on Taiwan's defense strategy and the urgent need for manufacturing scale in modern warfare. She discusses Taiwan's self-reliance, the implications of China's tech ambitions, and the U.S.'s struggles with critical components. Ellen emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships to revitalize the maritime sector, warns against innovation arrogance, and critiques VC approaches to hard-tech. She also offers advice for newcomers in the defense tech field.
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Use Targeted Economic Statecraft
- Use targeted economic statecraft and public-private programs to jump-start fragile industries.
- Design temporary subsidies or trusts to reach a tipping point, then sunset or adjust the program.
China's Massive Maritime Investment
- China reportedly invested roughly $90B in maritime industry subsidies over 10–15 years.
- The U.S. must consider comparable scale and speed to remain competitive in industries like shipbuilding.
Import Manufacturing Know-How
- Partner with allied countries to import manufacturing know-how and speed up capability building.
- Use apprenticeships and cross-national programs to transfer process knowledge quickly.