Taiwan and U.S. Sign Drone Cooperation Letter of Intent, Jointly Promoting Talent Training Exchange and International Certification
Taiwan's International Drone Academy signed a letter of intent with the American Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) at the XPONENTIAL 2026 conference. This aims to jointly promote drone talent training, international certification, and technical standardization, emphasizing Taiwan's 'non-red' supply chain capabilities.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 09:55
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Taipei, May 13 (CNA) Taiwan's International Drone Academy today signed a letter of intent with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) during the XPONENTIAL 2026 International Unmanned Systems Exhibition in Detroit, jointly promoting drone talent training exchange and international certification. Michael Robbins, CEO of AUVSI, noted that Taiwan possesses a non-red supply chain, speed, scale, resilience, and excellent leadership.
The drone delegation participating in the SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Washington D.C. today continued to attend the XPONENTIAL 2026 International Unmanned Systems Exhibition in Detroit. During the event, they participated in the Taiwan-U.S. Drone Industry Forum, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' International Drone Academy signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with AUVSI.
The LOI states that both parties are committed to jointly promoting the establishment of a safe, resilient, standardized, and harmonized global drone ecosystem. Cooperation will involve aligning drone procurement frameworks with international technical standardization, promoting 'Green/Blue Unmanned Aircraft Systems' (UAS) certification globally, and developing professional training programs. This includes global training with AUVSI to cultivate reliable drone operators and foster exchange among drone pilots, thereby enhancing global operational skills and safety standards.
The LOI also seeks to support or facilitate the hosting of international unmanned vehicle system-related activities, seminars, or flagship exhibitions in Taiwan to promote trade and technological exchange.
Chiang Chen-wei, Executive Director of the Drone Diplomacy Task Force and Executive Director of the Department of NGO International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Drone Academy was established in October last year under President Lai Ching-te's policy guidance for the five trusted industries (semiconductors, artificial intelligence), military-industrial complex, security controls, and next-generation communications. The concept is similar to chip diplomacy. Taiwan's drone industry is mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises with limited visibility, and the academy hopes to achieve synergistic scale. Ukraine also announced its 'drone diplomacy' in May this year, echoing this initiative.
Tsao Jih-ping, Chairman of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and Chairman of the Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA), said that the Russia-Ukraine war has redefined the pace of warfare, demonstrating the wide and practical application of drones. While the past focused on mass production and rapid deployment, the current consideration has shifted to achieving high efficiency with limited budgets, moving towards faster, cheaper, more durable, and more resilient solutions. Cybersecurity and reliable, non-red supply chains are no longer optional but core to maintaining resilience and success.
Michael Robbins, CEO and President of AUVSI, emphasized that Taiwan is the preferred location to promote Green UAS (secure drone certification) internationally because Taiwan possesses a non-red supply chain, speed, scale, resilience, and excellent leadership.
Robbins stressed that at a time when authoritarian states are collaborating to threaten democracies, democratic nations should work together even more closely. Taiwan not only has manufacturing and R&D advantages but also serves as a crucial line of defense for democratic values in the region due to the threats it faces.
Lai Yen-feng, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, pointed out that Taiwan's drone industry is not only a key national strategic development focus but also an important part of Taiwan-U.S. collaboration to strengthen democratic supply chains. The drone industry is not just about trade; more fundamentally, it concerns national security, shared values, and 'trusted technology.' Taiwan's excellent manufacturing capabilities combined with its chip technology, coupled with America's leading defense innovation and system integration, will create a powerful non-red supply chain through strong collaboration.
During the forum, the Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance also signed memoranda of understanding with the Michigan Drone Association and the North Dakota Trade Office. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150513
The drone delegation participating in the SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Washington D.C. today continued to attend the XPONENTIAL 2026 International Unmanned Systems Exhibition in Detroit. During the event, they participated in the Taiwan-U.S. Drone Industry Forum, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' International Drone Academy signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with AUVSI.
The LOI states that both parties are committed to jointly promoting the establishment of a safe, resilient, standardized, and harmonized global drone ecosystem. Cooperation will involve aligning drone procurement frameworks with international technical standardization, promoting 'Green/Blue Unmanned Aircraft Systems' (UAS) certification globally, and developing professional training programs. This includes global training with AUVSI to cultivate reliable drone operators and foster exchange among drone pilots, thereby enhancing global operational skills and safety standards.
The LOI also seeks to support or facilitate the hosting of international unmanned vehicle system-related activities, seminars, or flagship exhibitions in Taiwan to promote trade and technological exchange.
Chiang Chen-wei, Executive Director of the Drone Diplomacy Task Force and Executive Director of the Department of NGO International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Drone Academy was established in October last year under President Lai Ching-te's policy guidance for the five trusted industries (semiconductors, artificial intelligence), military-industrial complex, security controls, and next-generation communications. The concept is similar to chip diplomacy. Taiwan's drone industry is mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises with limited visibility, and the academy hopes to achieve synergistic scale. Ukraine also announced its 'drone diplomacy' in May this year, echoing this initiative.
Tsao Jih-ping, Chairman of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and Chairman of the Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA), said that the Russia-Ukraine war has redefined the pace of warfare, demonstrating the wide and practical application of drones. While the past focused on mass production and rapid deployment, the current consideration has shifted to achieving high efficiency with limited budgets, moving towards faster, cheaper, more durable, and more resilient solutions. Cybersecurity and reliable, non-red supply chains are no longer optional but core to maintaining resilience and success.
Michael Robbins, CEO and President of AUVSI, emphasized that Taiwan is the preferred location to promote Green UAS (secure drone certification) internationally because Taiwan possesses a non-red supply chain, speed, scale, resilience, and excellent leadership.
Robbins stressed that at a time when authoritarian states are collaborating to threaten democracies, democratic nations should work together even more closely. Taiwan not only has manufacturing and R&D advantages but also serves as a crucial line of defense for democratic values in the region due to the threats it faces.
Lai Yen-feng, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, pointed out that Taiwan's drone industry is not only a key national strategic development focus but also an important part of Taiwan-U.S. collaboration to strengthen democratic supply chains. The drone industry is not just about trade; more fundamentally, it concerns national security, shared values, and 'trusted technology.' Taiwan's excellent manufacturing capabilities combined with its chip technology, coupled with America's leading defense innovation and system integration, will create a powerful non-red supply chain through strong collaboration.
During the forum, the Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance also signed memoranda of understanding with the Michigan Drone Association and the North Dakota Trade Office. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150513