Taiwan must deepen drone cooperation with democratic partners, president says

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attends the graduation ceremony for military cadets in Taipei, Taiwan, June 30, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang By Yi-Chin Lee and Ann Wang

CHIAYI, Taiwan, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan must deepen cooperation with its democratic partners ‌on developing drones which are crucial to fighting modern warfare, ‌President Lai Ching-te said on Monday.

• Taiwan's government has made defence modernisation and ​increased spending a core policy given stepped-up military pressure from China, which views the democratically governed island as its own territory.

• Speaking in southern Taiwan's Chiayi for the groundbreaking ceremony for a ‌new drone development centre, ⁠Lai said the site's significance has become even more prominent with changes in the international situation.

• "From the ⁠Ukrainian battlefield to Indo-Pacific regional security, unmanned systems have become important combat strength in modern defence," Lai said.