Taiwan Deploys Sea Drones, Ukraine Accelerates Domestic Drone Production

Taiwan and Ukraine are advancing drone technology as part of their defense strategies against military threats from China and Russia, respectively. Taiwan is deploying sea drones like the Sea Shark 800 to enhance coastal defenses, aligning with the U.S. emphasis on asymmetric warfare, with significant government investment supporting this initiative. Ukraine has streamlined the procurement process for tactical unmanned systems and electronic warfare equipment by allowing acceptance based on manufacturer quality certificates, reducing bureaucratic hurdles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed laws granting tax and customs exemptions to manufacturers of fiber optic cable-controlled drones, which are designed to resist electronic warfare by transmitting control and video signals via optical cables rather than radio frequencies. Ukraine is also developing interceptor drones to protect critical energy infrastructure from Russian drone attacks, with ongoing efforts to increase production despite funding challenges. These developments highlight both countries' focus on innovative, cost-effective drone technology to strengthen their national defense capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.