TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is ramping up efforts to develop its drone industry, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君) said during a drone development meeting on Saturday.

To do this, the government is focusing on three major drone policy goals: industrial development, defense self-reliance, and a democratic supply chain, Cheng said, per a Cabinet press release. The measures are intended to build growth momentum for the drone industry and remove reliance on China for drone parts by 2027.

Taiwan’s drone industry output value increased from NT$5 billion (US$159.3 million) in 2024 to NT$12.9 billion in 2025. During the same period, exports of complete drone systems grew from NT$140 million to NT$2.95 billion.

Cheng said drones are an indispensable pillar of Taiwan’s “five trusted industries,” with applications spanning national defense and security, smart manufacturing, smart transportation, and medical delivery. As Taiwan’s related industries gain better conditions for international expansion, relevant programs require stable and adequate budget support to help lay the foundation for Taiwan’s next key industries after semiconductors, she said.

Cheng said Taiwan’s main export markets for drones include the Czech Republic, Poland, and the US, accounting for over 90% of exports. This demonstrates that Taiwan’s drone industry has become a highly trusted key supply-chain partner among democracies, she said.