TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Economic Affairs on Tuesday defended the Cabinet’s plan to develop Taiwan’s drone industry after the TPP legislative caucus criticized its spending priorities.
At a news conference, TPP Legislator Hung Yu-hsiang (洪毓祥) questioned the program’s spending priorities, arguing that it allocates more funding to technology development than to supporting domestic manufacturers, per Tai Sounds. He also criticized plans to provide additional funding for drone procurement by state-owned enterprises, noting that many of those companies had already budgeted for drone purchases in their annual spending plans.
Hung said government agencies have struggled to explain how newly purchased drones would be used. He cited the education ministry’s plan to spend NT$623 million (US$19.8 million) on three types of drones for high schools, saying officials were unable to specify how many of each type would be purchased, per Storm Media.
According to Hung, the ministry said procurement decisions would be based on schools’ requests once funding became available. He also claimed that the football-style drones planned for elementary schools cost more than six times as much as similar drones used by the Federation of International Dronesoccer Association.
Hung further criticized the government for failing to provide a detailed account of the program. He said the caucus did not receive complete documentation when the government responded on May 21 to a request submitted on May 11.
The economic ministry rejected the criticism, saying that if Hung had carefully reviewed the 141-page document provided on May 21, he would not have questioned the thoroughness of the planning process, per UDN. The ministry added that Hung and other TPP lawmakers submitted 12 requests for documents related to the program between May 14 and June 1.
Addressing drone procurement by state-owned enterprises, the ministry said the purchases are intended to reduce the burden on workers responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure. It argued that incorporating drones into standard equipment could reduce workplace hazards for employees working at reservoirs and in mountainous areas.
The ministry added that all procurement plans comply with relevant laws and regulations and said there was no basis for allegations of illegality or impropriety, per Liberty Times.
