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.

Speaking at a congressional hearing, Cao said foreign military sales to Taiwan had been put on hold while the Pentagon assessed weapons inventories needed for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign targeting Iran. He said the United States had sufficient stocks but was taking steps to ensure military requirements were fully met before resuming transfers.

“Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury,” Cao said, adding that foreign military sales would continue once the administration determined it was appropriate.

The remarks mark the clearest public indication yet that the Iran conflict has affected the timing of U.S. weapons deliveries to Taiwan, which has sought to strengthen its defenses amid rising military pressure from China.

The U.S. State Department and the Pentagon did not immediately comment on Cao’s statement.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office pushed back against suggestions that approved sales were being altered. Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said on Friday that Taipei had received no indication Washington intended to revise the arms package.

The reported delay centers on approximately $14 billion in weapons purchases sought by Taiwan, though U.S. officials have not detailed which systems could be affected by the pause.

The development comes as questions persist over President Donald Trump’s approach to Taiwan. While the United States formally recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, U.S. law requires Washington to provide the self-governed island with defensive weapons.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly opposed U.S. arms sales to the island. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that Beijing’s opposition to such sales remained “consistent, clear and firm.”

Trump also signaled a potential shift in approach ahead of a recent visit to China, saying he would discuss Taiwan arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Previous U.S. administrations had maintained that decisions on arms transfers to Taiwan were a matter between Washington and Taipei and not subject to consultation with Beijing.

Following the trip, Trump said he had made no commitments to Xi regarding Taiwan and would decide on the proposed sales within a relatively short period.
The pause underscores the competing demands facing U.S. defense planners as Washington balances support for partners in the Indo-Pacific with military commitments stemming from the Iran conflict.

Cheng, chair of the Kuomintang (KMT), is scheduled to visit China from April 7 to 12 and may meet Xi Jinping, though Beijing has not confirmed such talks. Speaking before departure in Taipei, she said the trip aimed to reduce tensions and prevent conflict, calling it a “historic journey for peace.

”The visit comes amid heightened military pressure from China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. Beijing has also refused formal engagement with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist.

Taiwanese officials said Chinese naval activity around the island remains elevated. Kuan Bi-ling reported multiple warships positioned off Taiwan’s coasts, including deployments to the east, north, northwest and southwest, underscoring what authorities described as sustained military pressure.

Separately, Chiu Chui-cheng urged Beijing to engage with Taiwan’s elected government and called on Cheng to press Chinese authorities to halt military activities, including air and naval operations near the island.

The trip takes place ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi in Beijing, where Taiwan is expected to feature among key issues alongside trade.Cheng’s itinerary includes stops in Shanghai and Nanjing, where she is expected to visit the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China.

The visit marks the first by a KMT leader to China in a decade, reflecting renewed political outreach despite ongoing cross-strait tensions.

The exchange was seen as an important step in reassuring Tokyo of continued U.S. support during a moment of heightened regional tension.

Takaichi had earlier remarked in parliament that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt Japanese military action.

Her comment triggered a strong reaction from Beijing, including a suspension of group travel to Japan and sharp diplomatic criticism.

Taiwan sits just over 100 kilometres from Japanese territory, and its security situation directly influences Japan’s strategic environment.

China continues to claim Taiwan as its own, while the island’s government rejects this position and insists its future must be determined only by its own people.

Trump has not publicly addressed the diplomatic dispute, leading some analysts in Japan to express concern about Washington’s position.

However, following the call, Takaichi stressed that the U.S. president assured her of a close working relationship and encouraged her to reach him anytime.

She said Trump initiated the call and briefed her on the status of U.S.-China relations, including his recent discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to Takaichi, Trump highlighted ongoing dialogue with Beijing and reaffirmed strong bilateral ties between Washington and Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Xi conveyed to Trump that Taiwan’s “return” is central to China’s long-term vision, according to official reports from Beijing.

Trump later noted progress in trade discussions with China but did not publicly mention any Taiwan-related issues.

Japanese officials were relieved that Trump contacted Takaichi shortly after his call with Xi.

Government sources described the timing as significant, reflecting Japan’s continued priority in U.S. foreign policy considerations.

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai reiterated that returning to China is not an option for the island’s 23 million residents.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara also emphasised that stable U.S.-China relations are vital for the wider international community, including Japan.

Japan continues to strengthen its defence capabilities as regional competition intensifies.

Encouraged by the U.S., Tokyo has expanded military spending and positioned new defence units closer to Taiwan.

China criticised Japan’s plans to deploy a medium-range missile unit to Yonaguni, the island nearest Taiwan.

Beijing described the move as an attempt to escalate tension and provoke confrontation in the region.

Japan recently scrambled a fighter jet after detecting a Chinese drone flying near its southwestern islands.

These incidents underline the increasingly complex security dynamics Tokyo is navigating.

While Takaichi has refused to retract her remarks on Taiwan, Japan insists it is open to dialogue with China at all levels.

Diplomatic meetings have continued, including talks between Japan’s vice foreign minister and China’s ambassador in Tokyo.

However, China declined the possibility of a meeting between Takaichi and Premier Li Qiang during the recent G20 summit.

Analysts believe this signals a difficult period ahead for Japan-China relations under Takaichi’s leadership.

Some Japanese officials also remain cautious about Trump’s long-term stance on Taiwan.

Analysts note that the U.S. administration could prioritise trade negotiations with China in ways that may affect regional security calculations.

A senior professor of U.S. politics in Japan wrote that understanding these risks is essential for shaping Japan’s approach to China.

Tokyo’s foreign minister stated that the government is not worried about Trump’s silence, noting the U.S. does not comment on every issue publicly.

Japan continues to balance diplomacy, defence, and regional partnerships as it faces one of the most sensitive geopolitical challenges in East Asia.

The recent call between Takaichi and Trump aims to reassure Japanese policymakers as tensions with Beijing remain unresolved.