Deutsche Welle (DW) published an article “Can Taiwan help Germany ease its reliance on Chinese drones?” on July 2 highlighting how German companies are seeking alternative sources from Taiwan to reduce their reliance on Chinese drone supplies. Citing the latest report from DSET, DW noted that in the first quarter of 2025, Germany has already become the second-largest importer of Taiwanese drones. The article also includes interviews with Hong-Lun Tiunn, Deputy Director of DSET’s National Security Program; Elizabeth Sun, Berlin-based Research Fellow; and Cathay Fang, Policy Analyst in the National Security and Economic Security Program, explaining Taiwan’s emerging role as a “non-red” alternative in the global drone supply chain.
The report points out that although China still holds an estimated 70% to 80% share of the global drone market, Taiwan has ramped up its domestic drone industry since 2022 and is actively working to build a “non-red” supply chain independent of Chinese influence. This strategy has attracted growing interest from European partners. Tiunn told DW that Taiwan’s greatest advantage is its determination to establish a fully China-free supply chain, which is highly appealing to European companies.
Elizabeth Sun, DSET’s Berlin-based Non-resident Fellow, noted that Europe has been accelerating efforts to achieve defense autonomy in recent years, aiming to boost domestic production of weapons and drones while gradually diversifying supply sources.
Cathy Fang, Policy Analyst in DSET’s National Security and Economic Security Program, said that Taiwan’s top priority is to strengthen the cybersecurity of its domestically produced drones and align with U.S. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) security standards. This could further expand opportunities in the European market. Verena Jackson, a researcher at the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS), also pointed out that once the U.S. and Taiwan deepen collaboration in the drone supply chain, German companies will likely follow.
DSET’s report, “Drones for Democracy: U.S.-Taiwan Cooperation in Building a Resilient and China-Free UAV Supply Chain,” published in June, summarizes insights from interviews with Taiwan’s key drone industry stakeholders and experts across government, industry, and academia, outlining current challenges and offering policy recommendations. DSET will also release an upcoming report focusing on Taiwan-Europe drone supply chain collaboration and welcomes continued attention and future exchanges on this topic.
