The Economist: Taiwan's Drone Industry Competes with China, Ukraine Emerges as a Strong Rival
According to The Economist, Taiwan's drones have significant appeal in markets looking to avoid Chinese products. Over the past three years, Ukraine has showcased the importance of drones in resisting Russian aggression, prompting Taiwan to develop its domestic drone industry and aspire to be the Asian hub of supply chains.
President Tsai Ing-wen initiated Taiwan's drone development in 2022, recognizing drones' battlefield significance. The U.S. military is also proposing a drone defense line in the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan recently signed agreements to purchase nearly 1,000 small attack drones from the U.S., while establishing a drone research center to advance technological development.
Although Taiwan possesses drone technology, scaling remains a challenge, as China commands 80% of the global market, resulting in higher costs for Taiwanese manufacturers. Amid geopolitical tensions, Taiwan has opportunities to expand sales of non-Chinese manufactured drones.
