TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Legislative Yuan passed an NT$8.3 billion (US$259 million) drone budget for 2026 on Friday, according to a Ministry of Economic Affairs press release.
The economics ministry welcomed the announcement, part of the 2026 central government general budget, saying it provided domestic firms peace of mind to continue research and development. The ministry noted that it is part of the Cabinet-approved six-year, NT$44.2 billion (US$1.34 billion) unmanned carrier development plan.
The ministry has invested in drone firms such as Aerospace Industrial Development Co., Thunder Tiger, Avix, and Calin for whole carriers and key components. Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Administration will add a drone test site at Taichung's Guanghua Industrial High School. It said it will also continue to expand Chiayi's Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center, which provides space for offices and flight tests.
Taiwan External Trade Development Council Chair C. F. Huang (黃志芳) said budget approval is the long-awaited stimulus the industry needed, per the Commercial Times. He added the council will mobilize its 60-plus locations worldwide to help domestic manufacturers secure partnerships abroad.
The ministry aims to hit its 2030 NT$40 billion output goal for drones and position Taiwan as the Asia-Pacific center for non-China drone production.
