Taipei, May 3 -- Taiwan is rapidly developing its drone industry with twin goals: strengthening defence against a potential Chinese invasion and expanding exports to global markets. Officials and manufacturers say international orders are essential for scaling production and sustaining growth in the face of fierce competition from China, Taiwan News reported.

In his 2024 inaugural address, President Lai Ching-te vowed to make Taiwan "the Asian hub of UAV supply chains for global democracies," according to The Economist. His pledge follows a 2022 remark by former president Tsai Ing-wen, who highlighted how drones provided a significant tactical advantage to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Former US officials have also pressed Taiwan to e...