TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's military is expanding its drone production capabilities by contracting private manufacturers to diversify its supply chain and enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) is integrating military-grade drones into the civilian sector, purchasing from the US military, working with Taiwan’s primary defense contractor, and acquiring "military-commercial standard" drones from private manufacturers, Liberty Times reported. The ministry has also begun releasing select military-grade drone technologies to these companies.
A senior military official cited by the newspaper said that beyond developing the Minxiong Aerospace and UAV Industry Park in Chiayi County, there are plans to expand production once technology matures. This strategy aims to scale up wartime production while preventing industrial clusters from being wiped out in a single strike.
At a media briefing last week, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) Director General Lee Shih-chiang (李世強) addressed concerns over a budget freeze affecting the Minxiong UAV park. Koo emphasized that drones are a crucial component of Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare strategy.
Drawing from lessons in the Russia-Ukraine war, Koo noted that drone consumption rates in combat are extremely high, making independent production essential. However, he said relying solely on NCSIST is not feasible.
The goal, Koo said, is to produce civilian drones that can be quickly adapted for military use, establishing an integrated military-civilian production system as soon as possible.
Lee added that the industrial park’s purpose is to encourage private manufacturers to expand rather than relocate their facilities, strengthening Taiwan’s global competitiveness in drone production. He said NCSIST remains Taiwan’s sole provider of drone Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) services.
A military official highlighted the strategic importance of Lee’s statement, emphasizing that drone manufacturers should maintain existing facilities while setting up additional bases in the Minxiong park. This approach ensures uninterrupted mass production during wartime by diversifying manufacturing sites.
If all drone production were concentrated in Minxiong, a single missile strike could destroy everything, the official warned. By expanding facilities rather than centralizing them, the military aims to reduce vulnerabilities in wartime scenarios.
Taiwan’s domestic drone production is led by NCSIST and private manufacturers. NCSIST focuses on "military-grade" drones, such as the Teng Yun and Chien Hsiang, which involve high-risk operations, explosives, or advanced technology.
Meanwhile, private manufacturers produce "military-commercial standard" reconnaissance aircraft, including target acquisition drones. With increasing production capacity, NCSIST has begun transferring select military-grade drone technologies to private firms.
One example is the Albatross II drone, which is awaiting military approval for procurement.
