Chiayi drone expo highlights Taiwan industry growth

嘉義無人機展凸顯台灣產業成長

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Drone logistics, industry expansion, and international cooperation were on display Sunday at a Chiayi County expo focused on unmanned aircraft and AI applications.

The Asia Drone AI Innovative Applications Expo was held at the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center, with presentations covering commercial uses and recent industry development, per CNA.

County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) also used the event to press lawmakers to approve more than NT$40 billion (about US$1.24 billion) in drone-related procurement funding. After asking the Cabinet about the funding, Weng said he hoped it could clear the legislature by the end of August, per UDN.

Weng said government support could help domestic companies become strong enough to compete for overseas orders. He added that Taiwan’s drone supply chain now extends well beyond Chiayi and called for cross-party backing for the industry.

Demand for space at Chiayi’s existing drone center has already exceeded capacity, Weng said, with another 40 to 50 companies interested in moving in, according to UDN. Separately, a new aerospace and drone industrial park in Minxiong is planned to hold about 100 firms, with construction expected to begin in September.

Chunghwa Telecom also demonstrated a drone delivery system linking the center with nearby commercial areas. More than 1,000 tests have been carried out, with safety checks continuing.

European ties also featured at the expo. Taiwan’s foreign ministry drone diplomacy task force and the European Values Center for Security Policy signed an MOU intended to deepen cooperation on drones and related exchanges.