Taiwan’s drone exports surged past US$100 million in the first quarter, exceeding last year’s full-year total, with the Czech Republic emerging as the largest buyer, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.
Exports of complete drones reached US$115.85 million in the period, about 1.2 times the total recorded for all of last year, the ministry said in a report.
Exports to the Czech Republic accounted for about US$100 million, far outpacing other markets. Poland, last year’s top destination, recorded about US$11.75 million in the first quarter.
Photo courtesy of the Chiayi County Government
Taiwan’s drone exports have expanded rapidly in the past few years, with last year’s total of US$93.42 million marking a more than 20-fold increase from a year earlier, the ministry said.
Growth has been supported by Taiwanese firms’ efforts to diversify overseas markets and rising global demand for “non-China supply chains,” it said.
Geopolitical factors have also driven demand in Central and Eastern Europe, it said.
Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania have stepped up procurement of dual-use drones, and increased defense spending.
Taiwanese suppliers’ capabilities in key components — including airframes, propulsion systems and communication modules — have aligned with regional demand, the ministry said.
To tap long-term opportunities, the government has promoted industrial cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries through trade shows, business matchmaking and memorandums of understanding, it added.
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