[Politics] Executive Yuan Passes Unmanned Vehicle Act, Scholar: Aligns with US Blue Skies for Taiwan Act
bellala 央廣5h ago
The Executive Yuan passed the draft special regulations for the procurement of unmanned vehicles today (18th), to acquire drones and boats. Scholars analyze that this legislation is urgent and important, not only meeting the time-sensitive needs of the national military's war preparedness and corporate investment, but also effectively aligning with the US "Blue Skies for Taiwan Act," deepening Taiwan-US drone technology cooperation and expanding business opportunities.
The Legislative Yuan passed the "Special Regulations for the Procurement Plan to Defend National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Combat Power" with a total budget of NT$780 billion in May this year, stipulating a budget ceiling of NT$300 billion for the first batch of military purchases and NT$480 billion for the second batch. However, items related to drones, unmanned boats, Taiwan Tactical Network (TTN), Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK), and Sky Bow missiles were not included.
The Executive Yuan added an agenda item this morning and passed the draft "Special Regulations for the Procurement of National Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles." The scale is set according to Article 83, Paragraph 1 of the Budget Act, with a special budget ceiling of NT$210 billion. The period is expected to be from August 1, 2023, to December 31, 2031, for the phased acquisition of national defense autonomous unmanned vehicles, including coastal surveillance drones, coastal attack drones, and small suicide unmanned boats.
Su Tzu-yun, a scholar from the National Defense Security Institute, a think tank under the Ministry of National Defense, analyzed that the promotion of special regulations is urgent and necessary primarily because the national military has actual needs, global drone business opportunities are increasingly significant, and the US has expressed willingness for technological cooperation. This move can also align with the "Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026," which authorizes Congress to cooperate with Taiwan on drones, expanding bilateral technological cooperation and procurement for Taiwan.
Su Tzu-yun stated that although annual budgets can be allocated year by year according to the Budget Act, in response to current enemy threats, building military strength and preparedness is time-sensitive. Adopting special regulations can meet the need for "timeliness." He emphasized that anchoring through special regulations will not only stabilize the future needs of the national military and market scale, allowing civilian manufacturers to have "long-term orders" and be willing to make longer-term, stable investments; at the same time, the military can also start relevant tactical and operational training in advance based on the drone performance specified in the regulations, yielding dual benefits for national defense and industrial development.
Regarding unmanned boats, naval personnel pointed out that unmanned surface vessels (USVs) have the advantages of high stealth and low cost. Mass deployment can form a "shark swarm" asymmetric attack, and they can be equipped with sensors to act as mobile maritime sentinels, greatly extending surveillance and reconnaissance range. Their effectiveness as suicide attacks and decoys offers the best "low-cost, high-return" benefits.
Su Tzu-yun added that unmanned boats can also reduce the combat risks for frontline officers. In the future, through the collaboration of mother ships and unmanned boats, maritime surveillance and reconnaissance and overall strike capabilities can be expanded. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Further Reading
Further Promotion of Drone and Unmanned Boat Procurement, Executive Yuan to Decide on NT$210 Billion Unmanned Vehicle Special Regulations
Executive Yuan to Propose Drone Special Regulations, KMT Advocates Annual Budget, DPP Hopes for Rational Discussion
Executive Yuan Proposes NT$210 Billion Unmanned Vehicle Special Regulations, Procuring 3 Items to Enhance Asymmetric Capabilities
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215262
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