Taiwan is turning its drone industry into a diplomatic tool, aiming to sell not just aircraft but training, rules, and certification to allied countries — a bid for more international clout.

• A new nonprofit drone academy will open offices in Taipei and Chiayi in the second half of 2026, with overseas branches planned later.
• The foreign ministry has bought 145 training and multi-purpose drones to donate to diplomatic allies, starting with pilot training.
• Taiwan also plans to help allies build test sites, certification standards, and drone laws — moving from exporting products to exporting the whole system.
• The academy has signed cooperation deals with the US drone industry group AUVSI and the Japan Drone Consortium.

Outlook: The first offices and drone donations are due in the second half of 2026, with more overseas partnerships likely to follow.