As tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait and military pressure from mainland China increases, the demand for drones in the Asian defense market has surged. Ukrainian drone manufacturers are actively seeking cooperation with Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, aiming to translate their experience gained on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield into defense capabilities for the Indo-Pacific region.
According to a Reuters report on Friday (June 19), UFORCE, a Ukrainian attack drone manufacturer, sent its CEO Rozhynskyi to Tokyo this April to pitch to Japanese officials and defense contractors, urging Japan to establish a fleet of thousands of drones to secure its own and its allies' safety.
UFORCE's Magura surface drones have achieved remarkable success in recent years, successfully turning parts of the Black Sea into off-limits zones for Russian forces. Rozhynskyi said that although East Asia's maritime geography is very different from the Black Sea, the tactical impact of drones is “extremely similar.”
Asian defense contractors are trying to leverage the reputation and technology Ukraine has accumulated in drone warfare. For more than four years, Ukraine, at an overall military disadvantage, has managed to fend off Russian offensives thanks to the asymmetric advantage provided by drones.
Asian defense contractors are trying to leverage the reputation and technology Ukraine has accumulated in drone warfare. For more than four years, Ukraine, at an overall military disadvantage, has managed to fend off Russian offensives thanks to the asymmetric advantage provided by drones.
In addition, senior executives from three Ukrainian companies and one drone association revealed that they are also exploring business cooperation with Taiwan. However, since Ukraine and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, these contacts have been particularly discreet.
Admiral Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, pointed out in 2024 that drones will be key to any military response and that building an “unmanned hellscape” would buy crucial response time for the U.S. and its allies in a Taiwan Strait conflict.
Hudson Institute expert Clark also noted that the Indo-Pacific region is in urgent need of drones to fill the defense gaps along the island chain stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines, to deter mainland China.
Admiral Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, pointed out in 2024 that drones will be key to any military response and that building an “unmanned hellscape” would buy crucial response time for the U.S. and its allies in a Taiwan Strait conflict.
Hudson Institute expert Clark also noted that the Indo-Pacific region is in urgent need of drones to fill the defense gaps along the island chain stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines, to deter mainland China.
Furthermore, Ukrainian companies are accelerating procurement of components from friendly East Asian markets in order to rid themselves of reliance on mainland China's supply chains. Since Beijing has imposed export restrictions on many drone components, Ukraine is now turning its attention to Japan and Taiwan—two places which also have an abundance of suppliers for cameras, microelectronics, and other core components.
In May this year, the Ukrainian Drone Association IRON sent a delegation of more than ten people to Taichung, Taiwan's industrial hub, for talks with local companies. The association's CEO Cherniuk stated that the purpose of the visit was to help Ukrainian companies find alternative component suppliers.
The Taiwanese government originally earmarked funds for drone procurement in a special defense budget, but opposition from parties resulted in all related expenditure being cut in the final approved version.
On June 18, Taiwan's Executive Yuan approved a draft “Special Act on Unmanned Vehicle Procurement,” setting aside NT$210 billion (about S$8.6 billion) for the acquisition of three types of equipment: “coastal reconnaissance drones,” “coastal attack drones,” and “small suicide unmanned boats,” to meet the basic operational needs of the Taiwanese military.