Ukrainian firms court Asian militaries, pitching combat-proven drones as China–Taiwan tensions drive demand – Reuters

Ukrainian drone companies are stepping up efforts to enter Asian defence markets, targeting Japan and Taiwan as regional militaries accelerate spending in response to rising tensions with China, according to Reuters reporting on 19 June.

Several firms are seeking production partnerships, supply chains, and export opportunities across East Asia, positioning Ukraine’s battlefield-tested drone sector as a model for “modern warfare” capabilities.

The push comes as US and allied planners increasingly frame drones as central to any potential conflict over Taiwan, including concepts of large-scale autonomous systems designed to overwhelm enemy forces.

Ukraine’s battlefield drone industry seeks Asian foothold

UFORCE, a Ukrainian producer of attack and maritime drones, has been among the most active in outreach efforts. Its CEO, Oleg Rogynskyy, travelled to Tokyo in April to present proposals to Japanese officials and defence contractors on local production partnerships.

The company told Reuters it is seeking to scale up manufacturing cooperation with allies in the region, arguing that lessons from the Black Sea theatre can be applied to East Asia’s maritime environment.

Other Ukrainian firms, including Skyeton and General Cherry, are also exploring partnerships in Japan, which is expanding its domestic drone production capacity and relaxing long-standing restrictions on arms exports.

According to Reuters, Japan’s defence spending on unmanned systems is rising sharply, with plans to scale annual drone output to tens of thousands of units by the end of the decade.

Taiwan interest grows despite political sensitivities

Ukrainian companies are reportedly also exploring contacts in Taiwan, where military planners are accelerating preparations for a possible conflict with China and expanding investment in asymmetric defence systems, including drones.

The engagement remains cautious, reflecting the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Kyiv and Taipei, but Ukrainian firms and industry groups say early-stage discussions are taking place on technology and supply chains.

Some cooperation is focused on industrial inputs, with Taiwan seen as a key source of microelectronics, sensors, and camera systems used in drone manufacturing.

“Unmanned hellscape” doctrine shapes demand

The growing interest in Ukrainian systems comes amid US defence planning that increasingly emphasises mass drone deployments in a potential Taiwan contingency.

Senior US commanders have previously described scenarios involving large-scale autonomous systems designed to create what they call an “unmanned hellscape” to slow or deter an adversary advance.

Military analysts say drones are also expected to play a key role across the island chain stretching from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines, shaping surveillance, strike, and maritime denial capabilities.

According to Reuters, US troops recently used waterborne UFORCE drones to sink a vessel during a secretive exercise in waters where the South China Sea meets the Pacific, underscoring growing interest in Ukrainian-designed systems. 

Japan seen as regional production hub

Japanese industry is emerging as a key focus for Ukrainian firms due to its advanced manufacturing base and government backing for defence industrial expansion.

Tokyo has increased defence budgets for unmanned systems and is encouraging domestic firms – many of which traditionally focused on civilian electronics – to enter weapons production.

Ukrainian executives say Japan could serve as a gateway to wider Asian markets, including potential indirect exports to countries such as the Philippines, where maritime tensions with China have also intensified.

Ukraine pushes “battlefield proven” pitch

Ukrainian companies argue their advantage lies in rapid iteration and combat experience gained during the war with Russia, where drones have become central to both strike and surveillance operations.

Industry representatives say they are increasingly framing Ukraine’s drone sector as a tested model for modern conflict, offering systems that can be adapted for maritime and island defence environments.

At the same time, Ukrainian firms are also seeking to reduce dependence on Chinese components by building supply chains in Japan and Taiwan, where many key electronic parts are also manufactured.

Wider diplomatic and industrial outreach

Ukraine has expanded defence technology diplomacy since the start of the full-scale war, securing partnerships in Europe and the Middle East while promoting joint production deals for drones and other systems.

Officials in Kyiv have signalled readiness to share technologies such as maritime drones with partners, as part of broader efforts to integrate Ukraine’s defence industry into allied supply networks.

The latest outreach in Asia reflects a broader shift: from wartime production at home to export-oriented industrial cooperation abroad, anchored in rising regional security concerns over China.