Driven by the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war and growing concerns over China’s military expansion, Taiwan and Ukraine are deepening cooperation on drone technology and supply chains. By combining Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors and microelectronics with Ukraine’s battlefield experience, the two sides aim to establish a “non-red” supply chain that reduces reliance on Chinese-made components.
During a June 19 visit to Ukraine, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) Chairman James Huang met with the Lviv IT Cluster, Ukraine’s largest technology association representing more than 300 IT companies. The visit focused on drone manufacturing and defense technology cooperation. Huang said that while Ukraine’s drone industry initially relied heavily on Chinese components, manufacturers have increasingly shifted to Taiwanese suppliers for advanced flight-control electronics because of their performance, reliability, and security.
China’s tightening export controls on drone-related technologies, combined with allegations that Chinese firms have supplied military-related goods to Russia, have accelerated efforts by Ukraine and its Western partners to diversify supply chains. Taiwan has sought to position itself as a trusted alternative supplier. According to Taiwanese officials, drone exports to Europe increased more than fortyfold in 2025. During the first four months of 2026, exports reached approximately 180,000 units—nearly twenty times the level recorded during the same period a year earlier—with many shipments reportedly destined for Ukraine via third countries.
Taiwan is also expanding its domestic drone capabilities. In 2025, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology signed an agreement with U.S. defense technology company Auterion to integrate combat-tested drone software developed for Ukraine. Taiwan has also announced plans to procure at least 47,000 drones over the next three years and expand annual production capacity to 180,000 units by 2028, underscoring the growing role of unmanned systems in its defense strategy.
Source: Epoch Times, June 22, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/6/21/n14793754.htm