Taichung
Central Taiwan city with a precision-machinery and aerospace cluster; home to drone maker Thunder Tiger.
Taiwan chose Taichung in September 2026 for a national drone testing laboratory, and on 16 October the city's Thunder Tiger reported that its team had completed a 1,520-drone Gauntlet I order for the Pentagon.
Last refreshed: 26 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Taichung's drone makers win Pentagon orders that avoid Chinese parts?
Timeline for Taichung
Mentioned in: Thunder Tiger delivers Gauntlet I drones
Drones: Industry & DefenceBackground
Thunder Tiger, headquartered in Taichung, gives the city a place in US drone supply. Its Gauntlet I team reported on 16 October 2026 that the Pentagon had received the full order of 1,520 FPV attack drones from the Taichung firm and its partners, every one through inspection. The company also agreed with AeroVironment, maker of Switchblade, to study arming its uncrewed boats and ground vehicles with that munition.
The city sits in a precision-machinery and aerospace cluster with a full upstream and downstream supply chain, according to Taiwan's Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection. In September 2026 the bureau chose its Taichung branch for a national drone testing laboratory for aircraft under 25kg, due to open in 2029. The Civil Aeronautics Administration is adding a drone test site at Taichung's Guanghua Industrial High School.
Taichung's firms stand to gain from Taiwan's push for domestic drone supply. In August 2026 the Legislative Yuan passed an act telling the Defence Ministry to give priority to domestic makers in its drone spending.
Which drone companies are based in Taichung?
Why is Taiwan building a national drone testing lab in Taichung?
What did Thunder Tiger deliver to the Pentagon?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 26 October 2026. Editorial standards.