Risk of Technology transfer to China in Austria’s security and defence industry
Christoph Strecker: Risk of Technology transfer to China in Austria’s security and defence industry. AIES Focus 2024/2.
26.02.2024
China is seeking to enhance its technology base and simultaneously its military potential by acquiring foreign technology. Therefore, technology transfer through direct investment is a method of choice, either by acquisition of innovative companies in the EU or by forced technology disclosure of EU companies investing directly in China. Due to inadequate or non-existing regulations and supported by national public funding, the transfer of key technology to China poses an increasing threat to Austria’s and the EU’s security and defence position. As a consequence, a thorough risk assessment regarding technology transfer from Austria to China is recommended.