On Monday, July 28, 2025, Taiwanese newspaper Taiwan News, citing the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), reported that Poland is currently the largest importer of Taiwanese-made unmanned systems in the European Union.
Revolver 860, produced by Taiwanese company DroneVision, which has been delivered to Ukraine since 2022, including via Poland / Photo: DroneVision
In the first half of this year, Taiwanese drone exports to EU countries increased by nearly 750%, with Poland emerging as the leading importer. According to a report by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council), this significant surge in demand is driven by the EU’s growing emphasis on defense and cybersecurity, as member states move away from sourcing unmanned systems from the People’s Republic of China.
Taiwan exported drones worth 11.89 million USD (approximately 43.9 million PLN) in the first half of the year, representing a 749% increase compared to the same period last year. Poland accounted for over 54% of that total, importing drones worth 6.48 million USD (23.93 million PLN), according to customs data. It’s worth noting that in previous years, particularly after February 24, 2022, Taiwanese-made drones, including armed models such as the Revolver 860 by DroneVision, were delivered to Ukraine via Polish companies.
The second-largest importer, although outside the EU, was the United States, with imports totaling 1.55 million USD (5.72 million PLN), representing a 209% year-over-year increase. Germany ranked third, importing 1.46 million USD (5.46 million PLN) worth of drones, a 258-fold increase compared to the previous year.
Czechia, which began importing Taiwanese drones earlier this year, came in fourth with 1.04 million USD (3.84 million PLN), followed closely by Hong Kong, which imported drones worth 1 million USD (3.69 million PLN), marking a 36.9% year-over-year increase.
Data shows that the top five importers accounted for approximately 97% of Taiwan’s total drone exports over the six months.
TAITRA, a trade promotion organization supported by the Taipei government, noted that with rising geopolitical tensions, European countries are increasingly turning to non-Chinese suppliers to bolster defense and cybersecurity, develop key components, and establish supply chains independent of Beijing (e.g., Targi Kielce joins Europe’s leading Taiwan partners).
Amid the escalating Russia–Ukraine war and growing tensions in the Middle East, the EU is increasingly focused on Taiwanese-made drones, drawn by the island’s expertise in ICT technologies, proven manufacturing capabilities, and strong democratic values, which resonate with like-minded buyers in Europe, TAITRA stated.
With rising demand in Europe, Taiwanese drones are being used for military purposes, including border security, territorial surveillance, and counter-drone defense. At the same time, the private sector employs them in agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and urban monitoring. European governments and companies are actively seeking reliable drone suppliers, and Taiwan has seized this opportunity to expand into European and American markets.
The Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA) was established in September 2024 and now includes more than 120 members specializing in areas such as drone system integration and key component development.
TEDIBOA has helped coordinate member efforts to promote their products internationally. While Chinese drones remain more cost-effective, growing demand for secure, non-Chinese supply chains has enabled Taiwanese providers to enter European and U.S. markets. TEDIBOA members specialize in drone assembly, module and battery development, and ground control equipment. According to TAITRA, Taiwan’s vertical and horizontal integration capabilities allow manufacturers to respond to customer needs quickly.
