Inspired by Ukraine, and worried by China: Taiwan teaches its citizens how to fly drones

What Happened

In May 2024, Taiwan launched its first civil defence drone training programme, run by the NGO Kuma Academy, to improve public drone literacy and preparedness for a potential Chinese invasion. The course, which sold out through August and trains about 75 people per month, teaches beginners to fly sub-100g Taiwanese-made drones manually—without GPS or self-driving technology—to simulate conditions under electronic jamming. Participants, including teenagers and retirees, with over half being women, cited the war in Ukraine as inspiration; Kuma Academy spokesperson Tang Tsung-yi stated the goal is to move civilians 'from passive defence like sheltering to a more active role in observing risks and sharing information.' The programme is part of a broader civil defence movement, with drone registrations surpassing 39,000 in December 2024 after Taiwan lowered the minimum registration age to 14. Separately, Taiwan's opposition-dominated legislature stripped funding for domestic drone production from a special defence budget, and a $14bn US arms package remains unsigned after Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Taiwan's drone programme reflects direct adaptation of Ukraine's battlefield drone tactics to an island defence scenario, where unmanned systems could provide critical surveillance across mountainous terrain. It signifies a shift from passive civil defence to active information-sharing roles, mirroring Ukraine's integration of civilian drone operators. The programme also highlights Taiwan's push for a 'China-free' drone supply chain amid legislative hurdles and uncertain US arms commitments, underscoring how domestic politics and international support shape self-defence capabilities against China's coercive posture.

Watch For

Monitor whether Taiwan's legislature restores funding for domestic drone production in upcoming budget cycles; the fate of the $14bn US arms package once President Trump acts; any expansion of Kuma Academy's programme or similar civil defence drone courses; China's official reactions to Taiwan's drone literacy drive; and any further lowering of drone registration ages or integration of drone training into school curricula.