[Politics] Executive Yuan to Propose Special Drone Ordinance; KMT Advocates Annual Budget, DPP Hopes for Rational Discussion
bella@@ 央廣 新聞5h ago
The Executive Yuan is drafting the "Special Act on Procurement of Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles," allocating a budget of NT$210 billion for the purchase of maritime surveillance drones and other equipment. In response, KMT legislator Lai Shih-bao 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 expenditures.
The Executive Yuan recently proposed an 8-year, NT$1.25 trillion defense special act. However, after review by the Legislative Yuan, only NT$780 billion for US military purchases was approved, excluding commercial and commissioned procurements, and drone-related budgets were deleted. Therefore, the Executive Yuan today proposed the "Special Act on Procurement of Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles" with a budget of NT$210 billion, intended for the purchase of maritime surveillance and attack drones, as well as small suicide unmanned boats.
In response, KMT legislator Lai Shih-bao said in an interview that he is drafting the "Drone Industry Development Act," with funding to be allocated through the annual budget and the Ministry of Economic Affairs as the responsible authority. Lai Shih-bao: "(Original sound) It's somewhat similar to the Biotechnology Industry Development Act promoted by former President Tsai Ing-wen and former Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng. Let's look at the Biotechnology Industry Development Act, revise it a bit, and use it as a basis to create the Drone Industry Development Act. The responsible 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-bao's proposed "Drone Industry Development Act," DPP legislator Chung Chia-pin had previously announced plans to propose the "Special Act on 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 defense special act previously proposed by the Executive Yuan was the result of joint assessment by Taiwan and the US, advocating for the autonomous and localized production of Taiwan's defense industry. He welcomes proposals from the KMT and the TPP based on the importance of drone development for Taiwan, but cautioned that allocating funds through the annual budget could lead to budget crowding out. He hopes for rational discussion between the ruling and opposition parties. Chuang Jui-hsiung: "(Original sound) So, looking at the annual budget, there are issues of debt, and it needs to consider the impact on the entire year 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 legislature... 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 localized production, is too important for Taiwan."
Chuang Jui-hsiung added that Taiwan already has AI and semiconductor industries. If defense industry localization can be increased, it is expected to create more job opportunities and boost the entire supply chain. He believes that Taiwan's overall economic strength will then impress foreign countries. (Editor: Sung Wan-yuan)
Further Reading
Executive Yuan to Approve 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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