TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The government is planning to increase regulation of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector by the end of 2027, reports said Wednesday (July 31).

By the end of June, more than 40,000 drones had been registered in Taiwan, while 20,000 people had been approved to fly the UAVs. The government has issued more than 700 permits to organize drone events, with 500 applications coming in per month, Radio Taiwan International reported.

More regulation is needed as UAVs are developing in two directions, with larger models flying ever higher and further, while another type is becoming smaller while improving its precision, according to the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA). The department said it had agreed with the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), the National Communications Council (NCC), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to regulate the drone sector in phases by the end of 2027.

The first phase involves the compulsory testing of all UAVs weighing at least 500 grams, with the MOEA responsible for drones lighter than 2 kilograms, and the CAA for those above 2 kg. Manufacturers would need to apply for a special license, while imported drones would also be regulated, the CAA said.

Only UAVs weighing more than 25 kg are required to face tests, but legal amendments introducing the new rules are likely to come into effect in December, with testing to be completed within a year. As a result, all drones on the market will be registered by December 2025.

The validity of licenses to operate UAVs will be extended from two to three years, while the minimum age will be lowered to 14 from 16, according to the CAA. Under the proposed changes, all UAVs and drone events will be regulated by December 2027.