Taiwan drone maker partners with North American group to boost exports

Taipei, Sept. 18 (CNA) A Chiayi County-based drone manufacturer signed a memorandum of understanding with a North American business association Friday to help Taiwanese companies expand into the North American market.

The agreement between 7A Drones Co. and the North America Taiwan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Association (NATUAVA) was signed at the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center, a government-backed research and industrial hub in Chiayi County.

Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁), who witnessed the signing, said the agreement would strengthen Taiwanese drone manufacturers' role in global "non-red supply chains," referring to supply networks that exclude components from authoritarian countries to reduce security risks.

NATUAVA will use its business network to help Taiwanese drone manufacturers enter the U.S. market, said the association's head, Arthur Chen (陳世修), who is leading a delegation of dozens of members on a visit to Taiwan.

Hsu Hsin-sheng (許新勝), CEO of 7A Drones, said modern drones are no longer merely flying vehicles but "aerial edge-computing platforms" that integrate artificial intelligence, encrypted communications, sensors and precision-control technology.

With government support, Taiwan's drone industry has developed key domestic capabilities, particularly in flight-control systems and engines, Hsu added.