Taiwan's Drone Exports to Europe to Soar Over 40-fold by 2025, Russia-Ukraine War Drives Demand

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency, Taipei, April 22, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Nikkei Asia reported today that Taiwan's think tank, the "Center for Science, Democracy, and Society" (DSET), pointed out that Taiwan's drone exports to Europe in the first quarter of this year alone have already exceeded the total for last year, indicating the growth momentum of this emerging industry, with exports in 2025 surging over 40 times compared to the previous year.

The "Center for Science, Democracy, and Society" (DSET) told Nikkei Asia that Taiwan's drone exports to Europe reached 136,010 units in the first quarter of 2026.

According to a new report released today by the "Center for Science, Democracy, and Society," this figure has already exceeded Taiwan's total exports of finished drones to Europe in 2025, which was 107,433 units.

According to the report, Taiwan's drone exports to Europe showed a significant increase in 2025 alone, surging over 40 times from 2,574 units in the previous year.

Taiwan's drone exports to Europe are mainly concentrated in Poland and the Czech Republic, which are considered important gateways for transshipment to Ukraine.

Europe is the largest export market for Taiwan's finished drones, but the "Center for Science, Democracy, and Society" emphasized that most of these products are low-cost small drones and have not yet been included in formal government procurement, meaning their sales remain unstable.

Overall, Taiwan's drone industry still faces numerous limitations, such as limited production capacity, reliance on foreign technology, and dependence on China for raw materials for some components.

Another report released today by the "Center for Science, Democracy, and Society" noted that Ukraine continues to seek to expand secure joint venture drone production facilities overseas.

This report states: "For Taiwan, this constitutes an opportunity: with its existing exquisite technology in manufacturing, semiconductors, and other high-tech microelectronics, it can provide component supply and joint venture cooperation to Ukraine." (Compiled by: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150423

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