In recent years, Taiwan has continuously elevated its defense self-sufficiency, with a significant focus on domestically produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). To expedite the development of our country's UAV industry and strengthen its competitiveness, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in collaboration with the Chiayi County Government, jointly organized the unveiling ceremony of the 'Economic Affairs UAV Industry Development Project Office' on December 11, 112. The office is situated within the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application Research and Development Center in Chiayi. Deputy Premier Chen Wen-chann, Presidential Advisor Shen Jong-chin, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Chuan-neng, Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang, Legislators Chen Ming-wen and Wu Yu-chin, along with representatives from various relevant government agencies, participated in the plaque unveiling and delivered speeches. The event also featured static and dynamic displays by leading manufacturers in the military-grade UAV sector, showcasing Taiwan's UAV industry's research achievements and capabilities.

The Executive Yuan has incorporated UAV industry development into the 'Six Core Strategic Industries,' and following the guidance of the Executive Yuan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs established the Economic Affairs UAV Industry Development Project Office. This office aims to integrate resources from industry, government, academia, and research, fostering the comprehensive development of the UAV industry. Through collaboration with the Chiayi County Government, it aims to create a UAV industry cluster by linking innovation research and development, production manufacturing, and flight test facilities. The office will establish a platform for promoting the UAV industry, utilizing government research and development resources to assist businesses in developing both hardware and software technologies. It will collaborate with government agencies to meet UAV application demands, reinforcing Taiwan's autonomous research and development capabilities and building critical technological expertise. This strategic approach is expected to expand opportunities in the international market.

In response to the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War, unmanned aerial vehicles play a crucial role in asymmetric warfare. Since 2012, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Center for Unmanned Systems and the Ministry of National Defense, has established a working group for selecting lead manufacturers in the military-grade UAV sector. Based on the needs of the Ministry of National Defense, these lead manufacturers engage in the research and development of three categories and five models of military-grade UAVs. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has initiated the 'A+ Enterprise Innovation R&D Training Program - Military-Grade UAV Development Project,' accepting applications from selected lead manufacturers for research and development subsidies to assist in developing key UAV modules and technologies. The selected lead manufacturers have successfully completed the delivery and acceptance processes with the Ministry of National Defense this year. The event invited key manufacturers such as Techpilot, AeroVironment, Tiger Tug, EVA Air Aerospace, Sysage Technology, Tsiang-son Engineering, and Sunlight Opto-Electronics to participate and showcase their achievements through dynamic and static exhibitions.

With the government's strong promotion and support, Taiwan's UAV industry demonstrates the government's determination to develop this sector. The 'Economic Affairs UAV Industry Development Project Office' will assist domestic UAV businesses in leveraging government research and development subsidies to establish UAV autonomous capabilities tailored to industry needs. By shaping an industrial cluster, fostering international technical exchanges with major companies, and moving towards becoming a pioneer in innovative UAV services and an Asia-Pacific UAV innovation center, Taiwan's UAV industry is poised to make significant strides forward.