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Jan 9, 12:03
FCC drone exemptions exclude DJI, blocking new US product launches
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has updated its Covered List to exempt certain uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and critical drone components from import and authorization restrictions, but the revised exemptions do not include products from Chinese drone maker DJI, reinforcing regulatory pressure on the company's US business.

Rising use of commercial drones in logistics, energy inspection, surveying, and infrastructure monitoring is reshaping demand for microcontrollers and edge-computing components. The shift is pushing suppliers beyond basic motor control and toward higher-performance flight systems.

Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) designer DCC Technology recently held a shareholders' meeting and approved a company name change. After completing administrative procedures, the company officially announced its new name as Nexora. The name combines tech themes like "Next" and "Aurora" to signify "the next dawn," symbolizing a commitment to innovation built on a solid technical foundation while looking toward long-term industry development.
G-Tech Optoelectronics (GTOC), a glass processing subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), announced it has signed a five-year framework agreement with a US defense systems integration contractor, covering the period from December 31, 2025, to December 30, 2030. The partnership will comply with relevant defense, national security, export control, and supply chain security regulations in the US, Japan, and Taiwan.
Japan's Ministry of Defense announced in December 2025 that it had suspended Kawasaki Heavy Industries from bidding on defense contracts until March 11, 2026, a 2.5-month ban following revelations of falsified fuel efficiency data for submarine engines supplied to the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The National Aerospace Fasteners Corporation (NAFCO) revenue for December 2025 hit a new record of NT$405 million (approx. US$12.9 million), up 7.84% month-over-month and 19.61% year-over-year. In response to customer demand, the company will continue to expand its Malaysia operations while pushing capacity at its Taiwan plant.
Taiwan is set to dramatically scale up its military drone production starting in 2026 as the Ministry of National Defense prepares to order nearly 50,000 units, a move intended to shift the island's domestic supply chain from small-batch development to industrial-scale manufacturing. Following the launch of its largest-ever unmanned aerial vehicle tender in 2025, defense authorities are planning for a sharp increase in volume that will test the capability of local manufacturers to sustain mass production.
As 2026 begins, DIGITIMES has conducted in-depth analyses of sectors within the electronics industry. The current landscape theme can be described as "one core, two keys, three drivers." The core, semiconductors, has two keys —the satellite industry and memory— and will be driven by three factors: AI servers, defense, and green energy. These areas will be critical to watch in 2026.
Europe's defense technology sector is experiencing rapid growth as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and rising geopolitical tensions drive increased investment in AI-driven defense solutions. The UK and Germany have emerged as the primary hubs for startups focused on advanced military technologies, signaling a shift in defense priorities across the continent.

Taiwan-based microcontroller supplier ARTERY Technology is sharpening its focus on edge artificial intelligence and drone-related applications as it prepares for a planned listing on the Taipei Exchange in late January 2026, seeking growth beyond China's crowded MCU market.

China has eased listing requirements for private companies developing reusable commercial rockets, shifting regulatory scrutiny away from short-term financial performance and toward technological milestones, as Beijing steps up efforts to close the gap with the United States in launch capabilities and low-Earth-orbit satellites.
The global unmanned vehicle market is booming with explosive growth. This surge has revitalized existing sectors while boosting related supply chains that are now targeting a second growth curve. Key component suppliers, such as those from the communication technology and IC design sector,s are seizing new business opportunities.