TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Charlie Chiang (江振瑋), director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of NGO International Affairs, said the ministry will establish a drone academy to train pilots and technicians from democratic allies as part of its “drone diplomacy” strategy.
Chiang, also head of the ministry’s drone diplomacy task force, said the academy will designate the Industrial Technology Research Institute to certify drone systems from partner countries. The move is expected to strengthen the resilience of their UAV supply chains, per CNA.
The academy will offer training in drone operation, maintenance, and related software development. It will also assist countries that lack drone certification systems or flight regulations in building the necessary frameworks.
The ministry added that it plans to establish a drone pilots alliance and hold events such as international drone operation competitions to strengthen Taiwan’s presence in the global drone sector.
Chiang said that many of Taiwan’s allies have rising drone demand in agriculture and logistics. Taiwan can supply UAVs and provide pilot training, strengthening its role in the sector while supporting partners’ industrial development.
He said Taiwan’s advantages include drone chips, AI technology, optical lenses, and manufacturing capabilities. The drone diplomacy task force, established in October, aims to align allies’ needs with the strengths of Taiwan’s UAV makers.
Chiang also praised ITRI’s expertise in UAV certification technology. In January, the institute joined the US Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Green UAS program, becoming the first overseas organization recognized for drone cybersecurity testing.
Under the program, AUVSI reviews drones and their components to ensure compliance with US government supply chain rules. ITRI will conduct cybersecurity testing and technical evaluations.
Chiang said that ITRI’s participation in the Green UAS program underscores Taiwan’s push to build a China-free UAV supply chain and strengthen capabilities in software, components, and system integration. He added that drones used by the academy will not include Chinese components.
