[Politics] Executive Yuan Passes Unmanned Vehicle Special Act; KMT: Will Review Prudently and Consider Proposing Own Version
bellala 央廣6h ago
The Executive Yuan recently passed the "Draft Special Act for Procurement of National Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles," allocating NT$210 billion for the planned procurement of drones and unmanned boats. In response, the DPP caucus stated today (22nd) that the development of the drone industry not only involves national security but also concerns industry and the economy. They called on opposition parties to jointly support the Executive Yuan's version of the drone special act. KMT legislators emphasized that they will prudently review the drone special act, and the caucus and party headquarters will also closely discuss whether to propose their own version. #Listen to reporter Zhao Wanchun's report#
The Legislative Yuan passed the National Defense Special Act by a third reading in May this year, approving only procurement items from the US and excluding commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing. To supplement the reduced drone items, the Executive Yuan recently proposed the "Draft Special Act for Procurement of National Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles" with a budget of NT$210 billion, planning to procure coastal surveillance and attack drones, as well as small suicide unmanned boats.
DPP caucus whip Tsai Chi-chang, along with whip Zhuang Rui-xiong and secretary-general Fan Yun, held a press conference today. Tsai stated that the NT$1.25 trillion National Defense Special Act previously allocated by the Executive Yuan was the result of joint discussions between Taiwan and the US on Indo-Pacific security and peaceful development. The reason for allocating it as a special budget was to consider the limitations of the annual budget and to avoid crowding out other social welfare and education budgets. However, after review by the Legislative Yuan, only NT$780 billion was ultimately approved.
Regarding the Executive Yuan's proposal of the "Draft Special Act for Procurement of National Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles" to supplement the reduced drone items, Tsai Chi-chang pointed out that the development of the drone industry not only involves national security but also concerns industry and economic issues. He expressed hope that the precision processing industry can expand into the defense industry and called on opposition parties to jointly support the Executive Yuan's version of the drone special act. Tsai Chi-chang: "(Original sound) We hope that this time, all parties will work together to contribute to Taiwan's security and Taiwan's industry. Therefore, we hope that this bill, which was sent to the Legislative Yuan last Thursday, can be expedited by Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu upon his return. We hope he can accelerate the promotion of this drone special act."
On the KMT side, legislator Lo Chih-chiang stated that the KMT supports national defense and will prudently review the drone special act and related budgets in the future. Lo Chih-chiang: "(Original sound) Therefore, regarding the drone budgets scattered across various departments, as well as the so-called drone-related act that may be proposed next, the KMT will prudently review and legislate."
Regarding KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen's earlier statement that she is considering proposing her own version, KMT legislator Lai Shi-bao also revealed that they are referencing the "Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Innovation Act" to draft the "Drone Industry Development Special Act." Lo Chih-chiang pointed out that the caucus and the party headquarters will, as in the past, maintain close communication on whether to propose their own version and will report to the public once a preliminary draft is formed. (Editor: Xu Jiayuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215858
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