Drone Diplomacy: Taiwan to Establish International Academy and Connect with Markets, Forging Taiwan's Value

U.S.-China competition and the changing nature of modern warfare have created an opportunity for Taiwan's "non-red" drone industry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a "Drone Diplomacy Task Force" to connect domestic and international firms, and is assisting in the establishment of an "International Drone Academy" to export Taiwanese expertise. The hope is to replicate the success of chip diplomacy and position Taiwan as the "Asian center for the democratic drone supply chain." The war in Ukraine has sparked information security fears, increasing demand for non-red drones. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned that Chinese-made commercial drones could transmit flight and user data back to servers accessible by more than just the manufacturer, posing a potential security risk. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 highlighted the importance of "asymmetric capabilities," with Ukrainian drone tactics often providing an edge. This has led to global recognition of the potential impact of drones from the red supply chain. The drone market is no longer just about technology and price; information security and supply chain resilience are now paramount. With the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set to strictly review and exclude Chinese drone supply chain products from the U.S. market by the end of 2025, demand for "de-Sinicized" non-red supply chain products is surging, creating a significant opportunity for Taiwanese drone manufacturers. Seizing on the geopolitical situation and changes in modern warfare, and in line with President Lai Ching-te's "Five Great Trustworthy Industries" initiative, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively promoting "drone diplomacy." The "Drone Diplomacy Task Force," established in October 2025, acts as a bridge between international demand and Taiwan's supply, identifying the needs of friendly nations for commercial drones. The task force's executive director, Chiang Chen-wei, who also founded the "Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center," told CNA that while Taiwan has advantages in the six major drone systems (structure, power, flight control, etc.), it lacks integration, making it hard for foreign firms to find suitable partners. This is where the task force plays a crucial role. Chiang explained that with advanced countries needing supply chains and diplomatic allies needing drones, Taiwan can execute a "drone diplomacy" strategy, similar to its chip diplomacy. This positions drones at the intersection of Taiwan's key industries and its defense sector, making them part of the "Shield of Taiwan." Taiwan's drone industry is now integrated into the U.S. drone supply chain, with several companies obtaining "Green UAS" or "Blue UAS" certification from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is poised to become the sole overseas certification body for Green UAS, enhancing Taiwan-U..S. cooperation, a process where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instrumental. Chiang stated this demonstrates that Taiwanese drones meet U.S. standards and align with U.S. interests. The cooperation model includes ITRI certifying drone products for third countries and improving supply chain resilience and pilot training. Taiwan is exporting dual-use drones and plans to donate them to allies for use in smart agriculture, coast guard surveillance, and disaster relief. The planned "International Drone Academy" is expected to extend its reach to third countries, co-organizing "International Technical Exchange Workshops" and forums to export Taiwan's training technology and import advanced international expertise. Chiang hopes the academy will partner with similar institutions abroad. For instance, a pilot from Palau trained in Taiwan could become a seed instructor, opening courses back home with the help of Taiwanese trainers, further connecting Taiwanese businesses with allied nations. The task force is more than a platform; in May, it led a delegation to "XPONENTIAL 2026" in Detroit. Chiang noted that participation in such exhibitions enhances global supply chain matchmaking and helps Taiwan build a critical strategic advantage, with the ultimate goal of making Taiwan the "Asian center for the democratic drone supply chain."