In recent days, the French intelligence-focused outlet Intelligence Online published two reports—“Taipei–Kyiv collaboration on drones hits a wall over Beijing” and “Taipei reroutes through Eastern Europe to penetrate the drone market in Kyiv”—examining the latest developments in Taiwan–Ukraine cooperation in the drone sector. Both articles cite findings from an upcoming policy report by Samara Duerr, Policy Analyst with the National Security Program at DSET.
The reports note that Taiwan is increasingly using Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic as transit points and industrial cooperation hubs to gain access to Kyiv’s drone market. They also reference DSET’s National Security Program report, scheduled for publication in March, which shows that this model of “routing through Eastern Europe to ultimately support Ukraine” expanded significantly in 2025.
According to the report, Taiwan’s drone export structure underwent a marked shift in 2025, with shipments to Poland and the Czech Republic rising sharply to 31,711 and 70,373 units respectively. The research indicates that a large proportion of Taiwan-made drones and related components exported to Eastern Europe are ultimately re-exported to Ukraine.
DSET’s analysis points out that this form of cooperation via third countries reflects the pragmatic approach adopted by both Taipei and Kyiv under conditions of heightened political sensitivity. Given that Ukraine must continue to handle its relations with China cautiously in both diplomatic and industrial terms, so as not to cross what it considers political red lines, indirect cooperation through European partners such as Poland and the Czech Republic has emerged as a viable—and already operational—pathway for Taiwan–Ukraine collaboration.
The reports further note that DSET has observed increasingly active engagement by Taiwanese industry in Poland in recent years. For example, Ahamani Advanced has entered into cooperation with Poland’s Farada Group and WB Electronics, and is planning to establish manufacturing operations locally. Jiin Ming Industry, under the auspices of Taiwan’s Defense Industry Development Association (DIDA), has signed a cooperation agreement with Poland’s Poltaiw Apex, while Thunder Tiger also partnered with Poltaiw Apex during the MSPO 2025 International Defence Industry Exhibition.
At the same time, DSET highlights that Ukraine’s drone manufacturing sector remains heavily dependent on Chinese supply chains. The report shows that among 61 Ukrainian drone manufacturers, only seven currently work with four Taiwanese suppliers, underscoring the considerable room for further development in Taiwan–Ukraine cooperation in this field.
In response, DSET recommends in its report that, beyond the continued supply of key components, Taiwan should in the longer term pursue joint ventures and co-production arrangements, with parallel investments both overseas and domestically, to help Ukraine build a more resilient drone supply chain. By providing manufacturing production lines and leveraging Taiwan’s accumulated strengths in chips, motors, and batteries—while integrating Ukraine’s battlefield experience and validated technologies—both sides could jointly develop a new generation of high-end drones, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.
Intelligence Online is the touchstone daily publication on intelligence and diplomatic affairs. It is published by the independent press group Indigo Publications.
