Gong Mingxin: The drone industry has defense capabilities and Taiwan will become the key to the global supply chain

The picture shows the Marine Corps operating a drone. (Bloomberg file photo)

[Reporter Liao Jianing/Taipei Report] Talking about the importance of the drone industry to Taiwan's national defense and industry, Minister of Economic Affairs Gong Mingxin pointed out that drones demonstrated outstanding combat capabilities in the Ukraine-Russia war, which is why the Ministry of National Defense has purchased more than 200,000 drones. Even if they are not used, they can have a deterrent effect. For industries, Taiwan can definitely play a key role in the global democratic supply chain. Major international manufacturers and many countries are cooperating with Taiwan.

Gong Mingxin pointed out in the YouTube program "Mindy Reads" broadcast today that the output value of drones is expected to reach 50 billion yuan in 2030. Why is the development of the drone industry so important to Taiwan? It is even expected to be the next sacred mountain to protect the country. It is precisely because drones are very important to Taiwan's future national defense. Therefore, the Ministry of National Defense has budgeted to purchase more than 200,000 drones. It hopes not to use the best, but it will definitely achieve a deterrent effect.

Gong Mingxin continued to point out that from the perspective of industrial importance, Taiwan can indeed play a key role in the international democratic supply chain, and major international manufacturers must cooperate with Taiwan. Many countries have even signed MOUs with Taiwan to jointly develop, including the Industrial Research Institute and the US Green UAS. Certification in Taiwan is equivalent to passing the Green UAS standard, and Blue UAS is currently being negotiated.

The entire machine will be non-redundant, based on national security and resilience considerations; the second phase is dedicated to achieving independent development capabilities for all components and software to ensure that Taiwan has self-sufficient production capacity if imports are interrupted in the future.