Taiwan is expanding efforts to improve civilian drone skills as concerns over military pressure from China drive broader participation in civil defence initiatives, with new training programs drawing interest from citizens seeking practical ways to contribute during a potential crisis.

In a classroom in Taipei, participants of varying ages recently gathered to learn the basics of drone operation under what organizers describe as Taiwan’s first civil defence-focused drone training program. The initiative, launched in May by the civil defence organization Kuma Academy, reflects a growing emphasis on unmanned aerial systems in public preparedness planning and follows lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, where drones have become a central feature of modern conflict.

The course introduces participants to drone piloting through practical exercises designed to build manual flying skills. Organizers say the objective is not military training but improving public understanding of how drones can be used for observation, information gathering and emergency response in crisis situations.“The war in Ukraine has really changed how drones are used,” said Pan Chien-chin, a 48-year-old employee of a food company attending the program. For Pan, learning to fly a drone represents acquiring a practical skill that could prove useful if Taiwan ever faces a major emergency.

Taiwan’s civil defence movement has expanded significantly in recent years. Alongside drone training, volunteer organizations across the island have increased programs focused on first aid, casualty evacuation and emergency preparedness. More than 30 volunteer-led civil defence groups are currently active, reflecting growing public interest in resilience measures amid a deteriorating regional security environment.

The latest drone initiative comes as Taiwan faces sustained military pressure from China, which claims the self-governed island as its own territory. Beijing has increased military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including large-scale exercises and regular deployments of aircraft and naval vessels near the island.Tang Tsong-yi, a spokesperson for Kuma Academy, said the drone course aims to help participants understand the capabilities and limitations of unmanned systems in contemporary conflicts.

According to Tang, the training allows civilians to move beyond traditional emergency preparedness by gaining skills that could assist in observing risks and sharing information during a crisis.Interest in drone technology has expanded beyond civil defence organizations. Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration reported that the number of registered drones surpassed 39,000 by December.

Regulatory changes introduced in 2024 lowered the minimum age for drone registration to 14, widening access to the technology among younger users.Educational institutions have also begun incorporating drone-related activities into their programs. Some high schools in Taipei now organize summer camps where students learn to assemble drones and apply them to search-and-rescue scenarios.

Demand for the new civil defence drone training has been strong. Sessions organized by Kuma Academy have sold out through August, with approximately 75 participants able to be trained each month.The participant profile reflects a broad cross-section of Taiwanese society. During one recent session, trainees included teenagers, working professionals and retirees. Women accounted for more than half of attendees.

Among them was 65-year-old retiree Karren Wang, who said drone operation could offer a meaningful way for older citizens to contribute during emergencies. Wang described the training environment as supportive and accessible for beginners, allowing participants with no prior experience to gain confidence in operating the devices.

Several participants interviewed during the training said they had previously completed first-aid courses and other civil defence programs. The addition of drone skills represents a further expansion of citizen preparedness efforts that have gained momentum across Taiwan in recent years.The growing interest in drones also reflects their evolving role in military operations.

In Ukraine, unmanned aerial systems have become deeply integrated into battlefield tactics, conducting reconnaissance, surveillance and attack missions. Military officials have estimated that drones are responsible for a substantial share of battlefield casualties, underscoring how rapidly the technology has altered modern warfare.

For Taiwan, drones are viewed as potentially valuable in any future emergency because of the island’s geography. Mountainous terrain and dispersed population centers can complicate communications and situational awareness, making unmanned systems useful for surveillance and information gathering.The training drones used in the course weigh less than 100 grams and are manufactured entirely in Taiwan.

Organizers deliberately selected systems without GPS guidance or autonomous flight capabilities. The decision reflects concerns that automated commercial drones could become vulnerable to electronic warfare measures such as signal jamming during armed conflict.Instead, trainees are encouraged to develop manual piloting skills and visual navigation techniques that would remain functional even if satellite-based systems were disrupted.

The emphasis on domestically produced equipment also aligns with broader efforts by Taiwan to strengthen supply chains for drone manufacturing independent of China. Taiwanese authorities and industry stakeholders have sought to position the island as a contributor to alternative global drone production networks at a time when concerns over supply-chain security have become increasingly prominent.

Those efforts, however, face political and budgetary challenges. A recently approved special defence budget passed by Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature removed funding designated for domestic drone production, highlighting continuing debates over defence spending priorities.Taiwan remains dependent on the United States for many major defence systems despite maintaining some domestic weapons manufacturing capabilities.

Questions surrounding future security assistance have drawn additional attention following changes in the political landscape in Washington and ongoing discussions regarding arms support for Taiwan.

For some participants, these uncertainties reinforce the importance of individual preparedness. One attendee, who requested anonymity because of employment ties to a defence-related company, said the motivation for joining the program stemmed from a desire to contribute as a citizen despite not serving in the military.

Pan expressed a similar view, saying that while individuals cannot influence broader geopolitical developments, they can take practical steps to prepare themselves.As security concerns continue to shape public debate in Taiwan, civil defence organizations are increasingly incorporating emerging technologies into their training programs, reflecting a wider recognition that skills once associated primarily with military operations are becoming part of broader societal preparedness efforts.