Taiwan's Thunder Tiger Corp. is deepening partnerships with major European drone companies amid rising cross-strait tensions following China's surprise military exercises near Taiwan on April 1, 2025.
Taiwan's drone industry, acknowledging limited domestic opportunities, is increasingly focusing on international markets by promoting non-Chinese supply chains. Industry leaders expect significant developments by mid-May, according to the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (Tediboa) chairman from Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC), amid emerging shifts in regional market preferences.
Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) plans to release patents and technologies for three reconnaissance drone models to private manufacturers, shifting its focus to attack drone development amid regional tensions.
Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) is entering a pivotal transformation phase, extending its global footprint beyond its recent Malaysian partnership to establish operations in the United States. The company will integrate biotechnological medical products from Malaysia's Zongheng Group at a new US production facility.
Taiwan's drone industry is undergoing a critical transformation, with Geosat Aerospace & Technology at the forefront. Yung-Lan Yeh, a manager at Geosat, recently highlighted two pivotal challenges in drone development during an interview with DIGITIMES: structural supply chain issues and the fundamental importance of power systems. Yeh emphasized that drones must be developed from an aerospace perspective and warned that without mastering power systems, Taiwan risks falling behind, as even minor imbalances in components like propeller blades could lead to catastrophic failures.
Global drone manufacturers are navigating uncertain market conditions as Russia, Ukraine, and the US engage in ceasefire discussions that could end nearly three years of conflict. While European demand shows signs of cooling, industry experts remain divided on the long-term impact.
Microcontroller (MCU) vendor Sonix Technology has ventured into the drone market by launching a high-resolution digital image transmission system to enhance the real-time control of unmanned vehicles.
The collaboration between Taiwan and Japan in the drone sector is taking shape. The Taiwanese Excellence Drone Alliance (TEDIBOA) has recently formed a new partnership with the Japan Drone Consortium (JDC). Both parties announced further cooperation as Ann Wu, chairman of CIRC, signed a memorandum of understanding with Kenzo Nonami, chairman of JDC.
The Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA) will announce in May its latest results in cultivating new opportunities for Taiwan's drone industry, according to alliance leader Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). After more than six months of continuous effort overseas, industry insiders note that international drone makers have now gained insight into the advantages of Taiwan's supply chain, with particular interest surrounding two key technologies.
A Taiwanese shipbuilder has launched a military-grade unmanned surface vessel (USV) that it independently developed without any involvement from China's supply chain.
The drone sector is experiencing robust growth globally, driven by both military conflicts and expanding commercial applications. Amazon's deployment of delivery drones and Taiwan's potential adoption for traffic enforcement illustrate the broadening scope of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) utilization. According to AIDC's senior vice president Jennifer Chuang, who recently attended Germany's XPONENTIAL Europe exhibition, this expansion reflects evolving warfare concepts and commercial innovations.
Recent major innovations in transport-related industries have not just been confined to the "C.A.S.E." (connected, autonomous, shared, electric) trend in automobiles. Increasing attention has turned skyward toward low-altitude transport as well, with a number of Taiwanese companies now vying for a piece of this pie.
Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) is spearheading the "Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (Tediboa)," leveraging its connections with top-tier global aviation supply chains. AIDC Chairman Kai-hong Hu revealed that after six months of international outreach, the alliance is securing memorandums of understanding with multiple countries and developing potential orders, with results to be announced around May 20 that "will not disappoint."
As MWC 2025 concluded, industry observers are focusing on the evolution of next-generation communication technologies. This year's conference highlighted Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), with major telecom operators actively positioning themselves as related technologies continue to mature.
MWC 2025 is no longer just about mobile devices—drones have taken center stage as telecom operators expand beyond ground-based networks. Industry leaders are investing heavily in drone technology, aiming to integrate aerial and satellite networks for uninterrupted connectivity.
The advent of MWC 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of 5G-A and AI technologies, poised to revolutionize terminal applications such as extended reality (XR), robotics, and drones. Historically a showcase for mobile technology, MWC now emphasizes AI's crucial role in advancing smart devices. Following the momentum generated at CES 2025, robotics will take center stage, with a particular focus on how AI enhances robots' intelligence and functionality. The event will explore how 5G-A enables robots to navigate the physical world, a key factor in their commercial success.
The demand for automotive lenses appears to be on an upward trajectory, while machine vision and drone applications are simultaneously capturing widespread attention. In this context, manufacturers of automotive lens modules assert that the demand for drone lenses will not only match but may even surpass that of robotics. This market, characterized by small-batch, high-variety production, is particularly conducive to fostering product and technological differentiation.
As global interest in unmanned vehicles expands beyond aerial drones, the development of surface vessels and underwater unmanned vehicles (UUVs) is gaining increased attention. In the past several years, countries like the US and China have invested substantial resources in enhancing fully autonomous and semi-autonomous platforms for both surface and underwater operations. Given Taiwan's geographic position surrounded by water, industry experts emphasize that developing UUVs is essential, despite development hurdles being significantly greater than those faced in aerial drone systems.
China's preeminence in the global shipbuilding arena is unmistakable, as it lays claim to an imposing 70% of the market. The protracted Russo-Ukrainian war has catalyzed a boom in unmanned systems, spurring nations to prioritize the development of both aerial and maritime variants. However, China's commanding grip over these sectors presents formidable hurdles for competitors, notably Taiwan and the US, as they strive to carve out their own footing in this critical technological race.
Taiwan's drone industry is aggressively positioning itself on the global stage, with encouraging developments emerging in recent times. Yet, as international markets fling open their doors, the critical question looms: Can the supply chain seize these opportunities and sustain long-term momentum? This challenge has swiftly ascended to the forefront of the industry's agenda.
The Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS) is set to highlight "AI and robots" as a core theme for the first time, reflecting the rising industry focus on automation. The aerospace defense market, driven by demand for drones and autonomous systems, is also fueling optimism that these sectors could reinvigorate Taiwan's machine tool industry after years of stagnation.
The Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Alliance (TEDIBOA) is presently in Germany to attend Europe's largest drone exhibition, "XPONENTIAL Europe." This expedition has yielded positive results, as the alliance members have effectively expanded Taiwan's drone industry foothold in Europe through collaborative agreements with firms in the Czech Republic and Poland.
As global conflicts remain unpredictable, nations are doubling down on military-civilian dual-use technologies to bolster defense autonomy. Industry experts warn that while self-reliance in defense is critical, market dynamics must not be sidelined. The development of these technologies should extend beyond domestic needs, with an emphasis on building resilient industries capable of swiftly adapting to both wartime and peacetime demands.
A delegation of 25 Taiwanese companies, under the banner of "Team Taiwan," is showcasing the island's drone technology at XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany. This marks the inaugural European edition of the prominent global unmanned systems and autonomous systems trade show.
