Taiwan launches new drone campus and groundbreaking industrial park in Chiayi

Yesterday, the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology held an opening ceremony for its new campus in Minsyong Township, Chiayi County, and a groundbreaking for the adjoining Minsyong Aerospace and Drone Industrial Park. The 5.12-hectare campus, whose construction began in December 2023 with an investment of NT$1.11 billion, will host R&D and manufacturing for medium and large drone systems. The industrial park, backed by NT$6.859 billion of Executive Yuan funding, is projected to accommodate roughly 100 companies, create 1,200 jobs and produce NT$8 billion in annual output when completed in 2028.

President William Lai highlighted the development as proof that national-level drone capabilities have taken root in Chiayi and will help Taiwan become an Asian hub for a democratic drone supply chain. He also linked the initiative to broader regional security needs, noting the growing importance of uncrewed systems. The project aligns with a Ministry of Economic Affairs program allocating NT$44.2 billion through 2030 to strengthen Taiwan's drone industry, which generated NT$12.9 billion last year.