Official trade data showed Taiwan exported 181,159 drones between January and April, almost 20 times the volume recorded during the same period a year earlier and exceeding total exports for all of 2025. The majority of shipments were sent to the Czech Republic and Poland, destinations industry observers believe serve as transit points for equipment ultimately supporting Ukraine’s defense effort.

The sharp rise highlights how the Russia-Ukraine war has transformed the global drone market, with low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles becoming essential tools for reconnaissance, surveillance and precision strikes. The conflict has accelerated military spending worldwide and increased demand for alternative drone suppliers outside China.

Taiwan is positioning itself as an Asian production center for so-called “non-red” drones and components, a term used by industry participants to describe products free from Chinese materials and supply chains. The strategy aligns with broader efforts by Western governments and defense industries to reduce dependence on Chinese technology.

While Taiwanese manufacturers benefit from the island’s advanced electronics ecosystem, including strengths in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, they face significant cost disadvantages. Industry executives say non-Chinese drones can cost up to three times more than comparable products from Chinese manufacturers such as DJI, which dominates the global commercial drone market through large-scale production.

Analysts say overseas sales have become increasingly important for Taiwan’s emerging drone sector because domestic demand remains limited. Samara Duerr, a policy analyst at the Taiwan government-backed Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology, said international markets provide manufacturers with the scale and operational experience needed to expand production capacity.

The export boom also reflects opportunities created by Beijing’s tightening restrictions on drone exports in recent years. Those controls have encouraged foreign buyers to seek alternative suppliers, benefiting Taiwanese firms attempting to establish themselves in global supply chains.

Taiwan’s government has set ambitious targets for the sector, aiming to increase monthly production capacity to 100,000 drones by 2030, significantly above earlier goals. Officials view drone manufacturing as both an economic opportunity and a strategic necessity as Taiwan seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities in the face of military pressure from China.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has intensified military activity around the island in recent years. Taipei sees the development of a domestic drone industry as part of broader efforts to enhance self-reliance and deterrence.

Industry leaders argue, however, that progress is being constrained by delays in government procurement programs. Plans to acquire more than 200,000 domestically produced drones under a proposed defense package worth nearly $40 billion have been stalled in Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament.

Max Lo, chairman of drone manufacturer AeroSoarX, said overseas contracts were essential for maintaining production lines while domestic orders remain uncertain. Taiwanese companies have increasingly pursued customers in Eastern Europe, particularly those involved in supporting Ukraine’s war effort.

Despite strong export growth, industry experts caution that Taiwan faces formidable competition. Ukraine has rapidly developed its own drone manufacturing ecosystem during the war and could emerge as a major exporter once hostilities end. Chinese producers also continue to dominate many segments of the market through lower prices and extensive manufacturing capacity.

Marcin Jerzewski of the European Values Center for Security Policy said one challenge for Taiwanese firms is proving their systems can perform under combat conditions, an area where Ukrainian manufacturers now possess extensive battlefield experience.

Analysts say Taiwan may ultimately find its strongest competitive advantage in specialized drone components rather than complete systems. Artur Savchii of Ukraine’s Snake Island Institute pointed to areas such as lithium-ion cells and advanced electronic components, where Taiwan’s technology sector could help reduce global dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Taiwanese companies are also expanding internationally through partnerships and joint ventures. Drone manufacturer Thunder Tiger has established a venture to produce drone motors in the U.S. state of Ohio and is exploring further expansion into Europe, betting that security concerns over Chinese technology will continue to drive demand for alternative suppliers.

Police did not give estimates of the size of the protest, named “Czechia against poverty”.

The protest, like a similar demonstration in March, was organised by non-parliamentary political party PRO, which has criticised the centre-right government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala for its handling of the energy crisis that has hit Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago.

PRO has also blasted the government for hurting freedom of speech as part of efforts to counter disinformation, and has called on it to push for peace in the Ukraine war, while denying being a pro-Russian party.

“Collect the last remnants of your honour, realize that you are not up to the job, and resign,” protest organiser and PRO leader Jindrich Rajchl told the crowd which filled half of Prague’s Wenceslas Square, according to news website iDNES.cz.

The protest was due to march to the government office.

The Czech Republic, like other countries in Europe, has been hit by rising inflation that has soared into double digits in the past year and high energy prices that are cutting into household budgets.

While Fiala has sought to ease the burden on families and firms, it has also sought to rein in high budget deficits and drew smaller protests recently for slowing an inflation-linked rise in state pensions.

Recent polling from Kantar for Czech TV saw support for the five-party government slipping, with the main opposition party, ANO of former prime minister Andrej Babis, extending its lead over Fiala’s party to 29% compared with 20%.