[Politics] Executive Yuan to Propose Drone Special Act; Blue Camp Advocates Annual Budget, Green Camp Hopes for Rational Discussion
bellala 央廣5h ago
The Executive Yuan is planning to propose the "Draft Special Act for Procurement of Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles for National Defense," allocating a budget of NT$210 billion for the procurement of unmanned reconnaissance drones for coastal surveillance and other purposes. In response, KMT legislator Lai Shih-pao stated today (18th) that he is drafting the "Drone Industry Development Act," which would be funded through the annual budget. DPP caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung said he welcomes proposals from opposition parties and hopes for rational discussion, but believes a special budget should be allocated to avoid crowding out other budgetary items.
The Executive Yuan previously proposed an 8-year, NT$1.25 trillion National Defense Special Act. However, after review by the Legislative Yuan, only NT$780 billion for US military purchases was approved, excluding commercial and commissioned procurement, and drone-related budgets were deleted. Therefore, the Executive Yuan today proposed the "Draft Special Act for Procurement of Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles for National Defense" with a budget of NT$210 billion, intending to procure unmanned reconnaissance and attack drones for coastal surveillance, as well as small unmanned surface vessels.
In response, KMT legislator Lai Shih-pao said in an interview that he is drafting the "Drone Industry Development Act," with funding allocated through the annual budget and the Ministry of Economic Affairs as the supervising authority. Lai Shih-pao: "(Original sound) It's somewhat similar to the Biotechnology Industry Development Act promoted by former President Tsai Ing-wen and former Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng. Let's take a look at the Biotechnology Industry Development Act, revise it a bit, and use it as a basis to change it into the Drone Industry Development Act. The supervising authority should be the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as it emphasizes industrial development. As for military drones for national defense, they can be included in a special chapter."
In addition to Lai Shih-pao's draft "Drone Industry Development Act," DPP legislator Chung Chia-pin previously announced plans to propose the "Draft Special Act for the Establishment of the Unmanned Vehicle Industry," with a target of NT$550 billion over five years.
DPP caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that the National Defense Special Act previously proposed by the Executive Yuan was the result of joint assessment by Taiwan and the US, emphasizing that Taiwan's defense industry should achieve localized autonomous production. He welcomes proposals from the KMT and TPP based on the importance of drone development for Taiwan, but warns that allocating funds through the annual budget could lead to crowding out other expenditures. He hopes for rational discussion between the ruling and opposition parties. Chuang Jui-hsiung: "(Original sound) So, looking at the annual budget, there are indeed issues of debt, and it would require consideration for the crowding out of the entire year's budget and the budgets of other ministries. Therefore, a special budget would naturally be a better approach. However, all of these can be discussed in the Legislative Yuan... as long as there is a willingness for rational discussion, it's all good. After all, the establishment of the entire defense industry, especially defense autonomy, and particularly localized production, is too important for Taiwan."
Chuang Jui-hsiung added that Taiwan already has AI and semiconductor industries. If localized production in the defense industry can be increased, it is expected to create more job opportunities and boost the entire supply chain. He believes that Taiwan's overall economic capabilities will then impress foreign countries.
Further reading:
Executive Yuan to Finalize NT$210 Billion Unmanned Vehicle Special Act for Drone and Unmanned Boat Procurement
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215224
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