French daily Le Parisien recently published a special report titled “Taiwan Transforms Its Industry to Become a Global Supplier of Drones” (Taïwan transforme son industrie pour devenir le fournisseur de drones du monde), accompanied by a nearly 12-minute video. The feature examines how Taiwan, amid rising regional security tensions, is upgrading its drone industry and positioning it as a key pillar of both its defense posture and industrial strategy.
The report includes interviews with Hong-Lun Tiunn, Deputy Director, and Cathy Fang, Policy Analyst, from the National Security Program at the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET), who provide analysis of the security and strategic logic underpinning Taiwan’s drone policy.
The report notes that several Taiwanese companies were initially known for producing remote-controlled model cars, boats, and aircraft. As geopolitical risks have intensified and the character of warfare has evolved, these firms have increasingly shifted toward the research and manufacturing of uncrewed aerial systems. Following the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war, the Taiwanese government reassessed the role of uncrewed systems on the modern battlefield and launched the “National Drone Team” initiative. The program targets an annual production capacity of 180,000 units and includes the establishment of the Asia UAV AI Innovation and Application R&D Center in Chiayi, aimed at strengthening domestic R&D autonomy and scaling up mass production capabilities.
DSET National Security Program Policy Analyst Cathy Fang explained that uncrewed systems would play a decisive role in the event of an invasion. Taiwan’s production targets, she noted, are not solely about increasing volume, but about ensuring that the domestic drone industry can adapt to wartime production demands. As a defense actor, Taiwan does not seek parity with China in terms of output, but rather aims to integrate uncrewed systems as a core element of asymmetric warfare.
Deputy Director Hong-Lun Tiunn emphasized that the most critical difference between Taiwanese and Chinese drones lies not in price or cost, but in trust. He stressed that Taiwan does not seek to weaponize supply chains; however, without effective decoupling from Chinese supply chains, Taiwan’s drone production could be vulnerable to sudden disruption. The report also notes that uncrewed systems are increasingly being incorporated into Taiwan’s defense planning under the framework of the “porcupine strategy.” These relatively low-cost and highly deployable systems are viewed as essential tools for delaying and attriting an adversary under Taiwan’s geographic constraints.
The Le Parisien feature further observes that Taiwan is seeking to position its drone industry as a “trusted supplier for democratic countries,” offering alternatives outside of Chinese supply chains. This positioning is particularly relevant in European markets, where several countries have begun efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese-made drones and components. Europe is currently a major export destination for Taiwanese drones; in 2025, Taiwan’s drone exports to Poland exceeded those to the United States. At the same time, the report cautions that Taiwan continues to face challenges related to dependence on China for certain critical materials and components, including battery supply chains that rely on Chinese rare earths.
