Drone National Team Formed; President Lai: Taiwan to Become Asia-Pacific Hub

(CNA, by reporters Su Mu-chun and Wu Che-hao, Taichung, 9th) President Lai Ching-te stated today while attending the general assembly of the Taiwan Excellent Drone Overseas Business Opportunity Alliance that the Executive Yuan has allocated NT$44.2 billion in subsidies, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs has formed a national team of specialists from various drone fields. The hope is to strengthen national defense autonomy and make Taiwan the Asia-Pacific center for global drone development.

The event was held today at the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation's (AIDC) Xiangyuan Cultural and Recreation Center, gathering representatives from the aviation and drone-related industries. R&D achievements were displayed through physical aircraft and components, with AIDC Chairman Tsao Chin-ping and others in attendance.

In his address, President Lai stated that promoting the drone industry is a major national policy, with the expectation that Taiwan's drone industry will become the Asia-Pacific center for global drone development. Drones not only strengthen national defense capabilities but can also exert a deterrent effect, maintaining the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

President Lai cited examples from the wars in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, noting that asymmetric warfare capability is a very important strategy, with drones being a core weapon. Nurturing Taiwan's drone industry will be of immense help to national security and the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Regarding driving industrial upgrading and economic development, President Lai said that Taichung is a major center for Taiwan's machine tool industry. Combined with information and communication technology, electronic components, semiconductors, and even composite materials, it can shine in the drone field, which will be a great contribution to Taiwan's economic development.

Speaking on government policy, President Lai said that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has organized the Excellent Drone Overseas Business Opportunity Alliance, gathering specialists from different regions and fields to form a national team. The Executive Yuan has allocated a total budget of NT$44.2 billion and proposed a national drone industry development plan to provide support.

On the regulatory front, President Lai stated that he has instructed Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun to lead deregulation efforts and even establish a legal foundation suitable for drone development. Furthermore, through Taiwan-US cooperation, Taiwan has already become the first certification body outside the United States, meaning that drones produced here no longer need to be sent to the US or elsewhere for verification; they can be exported after passing verification in Taiwan.

President Lai said he is full of confidence in the industry and the government he leads, but the drone industry's development funds and the general budget have been unable to gain the support of the Legislative Yuan. Party competition is unavoidable, but it cannot come at the expense of national interests, affecting the public, industrial development, and national security.

He called on everyone to work together, stating, "I will absolutely not give up, because this is too important for the country." He added, "I hope everyone will continue to work hard with me so that the budget can be passed as soon as possible, allowing our industry to flourish quickly."

Chairman Tsao Chin-ping said that the development of drones is no longer just an industry but a concrete symbol of the economy, national strength, national security, and defense resilience. In an environment of rapid technological development and fierce competition in the drone sector, the industry must build more consensus, and the government must provide more comprehensive supporting measures and resources to maintain a continuous competitive advantage in the international arena.