Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday inspected drone operations and combat training conducted by reservists during a visit to a military unit in Yilan.

The drill is underscoring the growing role of unmanned systems in Taiwan’s defense strategy.

Lai said reserve forces remain “the cornerstone of a nation’s overall defense capabilities,” adding that strengthening their readiness directly improves the military’s overall combat effectiveness.

He also reiterated Taiwan's commitment to maintaining peace while preparing for potential threats.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the rapid expansion of drone technologies has prompted the armed forces to intensify training and develop new combat applications.

Officials noted that drones have played a defining role in the war between Russia and Ukraine, influencing global military trends and accelerating Taiwan’s own modernization plans.

The 14-day reservist program includes drone operations as well as training on new portable weapons.

AP video shot by Johnson Lai, produced by Annika Wolters