The 2025 Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition was recently held, showcasing the latest developments in the defense and aerospace industry. The exhibition drew particular attention to the rapid growth of Taiwan’s drone industry and its significance in bolstering national defense. Multiple media outlets covered the recent developments in the industry and quoted DSET’s policy analyst and reports on the topics.
As French media Libération reported, many of the UAV companies originally did not focus on manufacturing UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Cathy Fang, Policy Analyst of the National Security Program at DSET, told Libération that some of these companies originally specialized in motors or batteries, but are now developing or investing in the drone sector due to the expansion of the emerging market. It reported that Taiwanese drone exports increased by 750% between the second half of 2024 and the first half of 2025, reaching approximately US$10 million in exports.
Danish media outlet Berlingske also highlighted the surge in exports, reporting that a total of 18,300 drones were shipped internationally in August 2025 alone. Fang noted that Polish demand has been particularly notable, rising from about 1,500 units per quarter in 2024 to 5,000 to 6,000 units per month by mid-2025, and reaching a peak of 12,100 units in August. While these figures exclude sales of individual components, Fang emphasized that European companies are also showing strong interest in Taiwanese motors and batteries.
In addition, Radio-Canada Info reported that Taiwan has been inspired by the crucial role that drones have played for Ukraine in national defense, and Fang told the media that Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is considering how to adapt successful lessons from Ukraine to Taiwan’s specific situation. Fang also shared with Berlingske that the Taiwanese government has now made the drone industry a focal point for the defense sector, with hopes of strengthening independent defense capabilities and building a leading democratic drone supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region.
She stressed to Radio-Canada Info that while Taiwan’s drone industry is growing, it is still very young and has significant challenges ahead. “Receiving orders from foreign partners would help. If we send our drones to Poland or Ukraine for testing, it would be an excellent international cooperation. This experience would allow us to improve our skills,” she told Radio-Canada Info.
DSET’s report, Drones for Democracy: U.S.-Taiwan Cooperation in Building a Resilient and China-Free UAV Supply Chain, also addresses the challenges and opportunities in U.S.-Taiwan drone collaboration. Further research on the Taiwan-Europe cooperation in the UAV supply chain will be released in the upcoming months.
