[Politics] Executive Yuan Passes Unmanned Vehicle Act; Scholar: Connects with US Blue Skies for Taiwan Act
bella@@ 央廣 新聞3h ago
The Executive Yuan passed the draft special regulations for the procurement of unmanned vehicles today (18th), to acquire drones and unmanned boats. Scholars analyzed that this legislation is urgent and important, not only meeting the time-sensitive needs of the military's preparedness and corporate investment, but also effectively connecting 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 Capabilities" 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 Stinger 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 of up to NT$210 billion. The period is expected to be from August 1, 2024, to December 31, 2031, to gradually acquire national defense autonomous unmanned vehicles, including coastal surveillance drones, coastal attack drones, and small suicide drones.
Su Tzu-yun, a scholar from the think tank of the Ministry of National Defense, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, analyzed that promoting the special regulations is urgent and necessary. The main reasons are the actual needs of the military, the growing global drone market opportunities, and the US's willingness to cooperate technologically. This move can also connect with the "Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026" (passed by the US Congress to authorize cooperation 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, military preparedness is time-sensitive, and adopting special regulations can meet the need to "meet the timeline." He emphasized that anchoring with special regulations not only stabilizes future military needs and market scale, allowing private companies 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, a naval source pointed out that unmanned surface vessels (USVs) have the advantages of high stealth and low cost. Massed together, they can form a "swarm" for asymmetric attacks and be equipped with sensors to act as mobile sea sentinels, greatly extending surveillance and reconnaissance range. Their use as suicide attack drones and decoys offers the most "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 capabilities and overall strike power can be expanded. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Further Reading
Another Push for 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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