Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) announced that its anti-drone system is progressing as planned and may be launched by the third quarter of 2025. Additionally, the company's civilian aircraft orders have exceeded NT$50 billion (approx. US$1.72 billion), driven by strong demand from major international aviation firms.

Qualcomm has backed nearly 70 Taiwan startups since 2019 and is now focusing on drone, space technology, and cybersecurity companies as artificial intelligence processing moves from cloud to edge devices.

Taiwan's Thunder Tiger Technology has partnered with American defense technology company Auterion to integrate advanced artificial intelligence and autonomous systems into its comprehensive lineup of unmanned vehicles operating in air, land, and sea domains.

Taiwanese drone manufacturers are rolling out new models as the island seeks to build domestic unmanned aircraft capabilities, with HY Tech introducing an electric long-range drone designed for logistics and disaster relief operations.

Export prices for Chinese-made drone components are skyrocketing as Beijing enforces stricter controls on outbound shipments. According to reports from China's Jiwei Network, since September 2024, the Chinese government has imposed a licensing regime on select drone parts, citing the need to prevent military use. This policy encompasses a broad range of key technologies, including propulsion systems, target-locking laser modules, and electromagnetic jamming devices designed to disrupt adversarial drones.

Following its appearance at the Smart City Summit in March 2025, a Ukrainian business delegation has returned to Taiwan to deepen cooperation across four key sectors as part of Ukraine's national reconstruction efforts.

Japanese drone makers, long proud of their "Made in Japan" branding, remain heavily reliant on low-cost components from China, including key parts like electronic speed controllers, propellers, and engine generators. However, that dependence is coming under fresh scrutiny as China's recent export restrictions, imposed over national security concerns, have sparked concerns about supply chain reliability.

A Ukrainian delegation with nearly 20 industry representatives, led by Lviv deputy mayor Serhiy Kiral has visited Taiwan recently, while defense and drone companies had comprised a quarter of the group. The visit aimed to leverage Ukraine's battlefield-tested drone expertise for Taiwan's defense industry development.

Rising tensions between Israel and Iran have drawn global focus back to the modernization of defense communications and radar systems. This shift is driving sustained demand for military-grade power amplifiers (PAs), positioning Taiwan-based suppliers like Transcom as critical contributors to high-frequency defense applications. Transcom has experienced consistent growth in orders from Israeli clients over the past two years.

Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based Auterion to integrate advanced drone operating systems and swarm control technology into the island's military capabilities, marking a significant defense collaboration despite potential Chinese government retaliation.

As geopolitical tensions rise, from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict to recent clashes between Israel and Iran, the global defense landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. This shift is driving significant advancements in military technologies, particularly unmanned aerial systems (UAS), where endurance, safety, and the ability to adapt to diverse environments are critical.

As the US steps up efforts to secure its unmanned systems supply chain from Chinese influence, Taiwan is emerging as a key potential partner, leveraging its cybersecurity protocols and expanding defense ambitions.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) carried out a highly coordinated drone attack, known as Operation Spiderweb, on June 1, 2025, targeting four Russian airbases deep within Russian territory. Ukrainian authorities reported that the strike destroyed 41 large aircraft, including long-range strategic bombers and airborne early warning planes, significantly undermining Moscow's aerial strike capabilities.

Defense industry autonomy has emerged as a global priority amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The Taiwan-US Defense Industry Forum recently concluded with former US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth leading a defense delegation to the island, focusing on bilateral cooperation opportunities highlighted by lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War. A Ukrainian industrial delegation, including drone sector representatives, is scheduled to visit Taiwan next, signaling deepening ties among democratic allies.

Europe's military-industrial supply chain is experiencing renewed momentum as US President Donald Trump's hardline stance on NATO defense budgets continues to reshape spending priorities across the EU. Taiwanese manufacturer MilDef Crete, specializing in rugged industrial computers, has indicated that increased defense spending within the bloc, initially driven by policies from the Trump administration, has evolved into a long-term structural trend. This heightened military expenditure is anticipated to continue beyond the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is making a strategic move to redefine the future of drone technology, unveiling six groundbreaking innovations at the Japan Drone 2025 exhibition. By targeting high-value sectors such as inspection and logistics, ITRI is positioning itself at the cutting edge of a rapidly evolving market, setting the stage for its drone technologies to lead in next-generation applications.

Taiwan's drone industry continues to expand its global presence, with its latest move focused on fostering collaboration with Japan at the Japan Drone 2025 exhibition. Following its participation in the XPONENTIAL exhibitions in Europe and the United States earlier this year, Taiwan is now promoting supply chain integration and cross-border cooperation at Asia's leading drone event.

Ukraine's recent drone operation, dubbed "Spider Web," has sent shockwaves through military establishments worldwide after successfully penetrating deep into Russian territory and destroying dozens of aircraft worth billions of dollars. The audacious attack demonstrates how inexpensive technology is fundamentally reshaping modern warfare economics and forcing a complete rethink of military strategy.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent Indo-Pacific security address highlighted two strategic priorities that underscore Taiwan's growing importance in regional defense planning: maritime drone capabilities and secure component supply chains.

Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology will host maritime trials for unmanned surface vehicles on June 17-18, 2025, with 13 domestic and international companies participating in what officials describe as a technical assessment rather than a competition.

At its recent annual shareholder meeting, optical film manufacturer Wah Hong announced the successful approval of key proposals, outlining its strategic direction for the future. As the company looks ahead, Wah Hong remains committed to developing high-value-added products and creating unique, differentiated solutions, collaborating closely with its clients.

As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its third year, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have solidified their role as a pivotal force in both offensive and defensive operations. Recently, fiber-optic-guided drones, known for their exceptional resistance to electronic warfare interference, have surged in deployment across the Ukrainian battlefield, emerging as critical assets for both sides' military operations.

The Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA) led a number of Taiwanese drone companies to participate in the Xponential 2025 exhibition in Houston, Texas, with the hope of further expanding drone cooperation opportunities between Taiwan and the US.