Taiwan CBRN Defence Market Size and Forecast by Threat Type, Equipment, End User, and Platform: 2019-2033

Taiwan CBRN Defence Industry Outlook

The Taiwan CBRN defence market is undergoing a pivotal transformation, fuelled by geopolitical pressures, evolving military doctrine, and accelerated international defence partnerships. Taiwan’s proximity to China and its increasing exposure to hybrid warfare threats—ranging from cyber and disinformation campaigns to chemical and radiological hazards—have pushed CBRN defence to the forefront of its national security strategy.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence, the reinstatement of gas chamber training in 2024 under the revised one-year conscription program is emblematic of the renewed focus on NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) resilience. This initiative, dormant for over a decade, underscores Taiwan’s readiness to counter emerging non-conventional threats. Furthermore, the integration of NBC training alongside traditional military roles demonstrates Taiwan’s intent to build a modern, multidomain defence ecosystem.

With U.S. arms deliveries including advanced HIMARS and ATACMS systems now arriving ahead of schedule, Taiwan’s broader defence sector—particularly its CBRN defence industry—is poised for growth, both in capacity and sophistication. The evolving scenario positions the Taiwan CBRN defence market as a key pillar in the island's asymmetric deterrence posture, driving demand for protective systems, detection technologies, and training infrastructure.

Market Drivers: Regional Instability and Strategic Military Reforms

The primary catalyst propelling the Taiwan CBRN defence industry forward is the rising threat of military confrontation with the People’s Republic of China. Incursions by PLA naval and air forces across the Taiwan Strait’s median line have intensified in both frequency and scale, exemplified by the coordinated J-16 and KJ-500 air operations in April 2025. These developments reflect China’s strategy of pressure-building through multi-domain exercises, often simulating amphibious assaults or blockade scenarios. In response, Taiwan has adopted a multi-tiered approach that includes not only kinetic countermeasures but also investments in non-kinetic warfare preparedness.

A key example is the NT$32.52 billion defence procurement package with the United States, which includes advanced missile and simulation systems aimed at bolstering precision strike capabilities and command resiliency. Notably, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s deployment of Multi-Domain Task Forces and enhanced intelligence-sharing with Taiwan further amplifies Taipei’s CBRN readiness. Locally, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has restructured its military curriculum to incorporate NBC preparedness at every operational level. This includes real-life gas exposure training, updated protective gear, and civil preparedness programs—such as those run by the Kuma Academy—designed to harden both military and civilian response frameworks against CBRN events.

End-User Trends: From Conscripts to Civilian Preparedness

The Taiwan CBRN defence sector is witnessing a broader shift in end-user engagement, with adoption extending from traditional defence actors to civil society and infrastructure operators. On the military front, conscripted troops—previously serving for just four months—are now undergoing one-year service durations, including specialized CBRN drills such as gas chamber training, a move that reintroduces critical skills once sidelined. The Ministry of National Defence has further modernized conscript kits, providing NBC-ready masks, helmets, and vests that align with global standards. Importantly, Taiwan is building resilience beyond its armed forces.

The rise of civilian-focused programs, like the Black Bear Academy (Kuma Academy), signals a grassroots embrace of national defence. These initiatives cover CBRN survival training, media literacy to counter disinformation, and basic first aid—empowering the population as a secondary line of deterrence. Infrastructure sectors, including metro systems and energy providers, are increasingly investing in detection systems and emergency response protocols. End-user trends show a distinct pivot toward integration: military forces are being trained to operate in CBRN-contaminated environments, while civilians are becoming an active part of Taiwan’s total defence strategy—an approach that enhances strategic depth across the Taiwan CBRN defence industry.

Performance Indicators: Investment, Logistics, and International Engagement

The health of the Taiwan CBRN defence market is increasingly measured by a constellation of performance indicators spanning budget allocations, readiness benchmarks, and international collaborations. Defence expenditure as a share of GDP has risen consistently, with a notable percentage allocated to NBC preparedness and dual-use infrastructure. Taiwan’s ability to secure early delivery of U.S. systems such as ATACMS and HIMARS, well ahead of 2027 schedules, signals operational urgency and logistical efficiency.

Performance also manifests through Taiwan’s layered supply chain reforms; for instance, prepositioned logistics and rapid deployment exercises by allied forces in Guam and the Philippines provide Taiwan with fallback and reinforcement channels, ensuring continuity in conflict scenarios. Additionally, interoperability has become a vital benchmark—joint drills and simulation-based training with U.S. and Japanese forces now regularly integrate CBRN elements.

These exercises test everything from protective suit deployment to biothreat containment. On the domestic front, Taiwan’s revitalization of NBC training after an 11-year hiatus indicates renewed commitment to readiness metrics. Collectively, these indicators paint a picture of a market that is not only expanding but also maturing—transitioning from reactive procurement to integrated preparedness, a hallmark of a resilient Taiwan CBRN defence sector.

Strategic Landscape: Government Roles and Competitive Ecosystem

Taiwan’s CBRN defence architecture is centrally orchestrated by the Ministry of National Defence (MND), which governs training standards, procurement, and civilian-military integration. The National Security Council plays an advisory role, coordinating with international allies, particularly the United States and Japan. Locally, partnerships between the MND and academia—especially in biomedical and environmental engineering—are giving rise to indigenous innovations in detection systems and protective fabrics. Taiwan’s industrial base is also evolving. State-backed institutes such as the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) are expanding R&D capabilities, especially in early warning and environmental decontamination technologies.

International players including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are deeply embedded in Taiwan’s ecosystem, supplying precision-guided systems and supporting logistics hubs. Regionally, Japan’s active engagement in trilateral drills further diversifies Taipei’s strategic options. Meanwhile, local contractors and civil defence entities like Kuma Academy are filling capability gaps in public education and response coordination.

The competitive landscape is now defined by a hybrid approach: international hardware and intelligence support, domestic manufacturing acceleration, and community-driven resilience. This diversified strategy gives Taiwan strategic flexibility to adapt to various threat permutations—making its CBRN defence sector increasingly robust in both peacetime and crisis scenarios.

Author: Surender K (Vertical Head – Aerospace & Defence)

*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]

Taiwan CBRN Defence Market Scope