TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – There was a sharp exchange of opinions Friday on the drone procurement bill passed Thursday over budget scale, flexibility, and leadership lapses.
The DPP criticized the constant budget deadlocks, whereas the KMT said the reading accommodates all required drones with additional funding.
The Legislative Yuan passed the Act to Strengthen National Defense Self-Reliance and Promote the Development of the Unmanned Vehicle Industry on Thursday. The NT$240 billion (US$7.6 billion) in costs will be financed over six years, with NT$40 billion (US$1.26 billion) to be allocated each year.
It is presided over by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, with the Ministry of National Defense providing oversight on defense purchases.
DPP Legislator Lin Yueh-chin (林月琴) said that both parties can contest the six-year allocation. She added the annual reviews may result in more delays for military reform and industrial development.
Lin also questioned the structure of the National Unmanned Vehicle Industry Development Strategy Special Committee. She said expert opinion may conflict with the defense ministry, leading to stalemates.
DPP Spokesperson Wu Cheng (吳崢) said the committee’s creation raises concerns that the legislature may be overstepping its oversight and budgetary review powers. Wu added that for unmanned vehicle development, the defense ministry should best understand what the military requires.
On the six-year annual budget, Wu said the problem is stability, as companies require capital for research and development and production. He said the annual budget approach could lead to political delays in the legislature.
KMT Cultural Communications Department Chair Chen Yi-hsin (陳以信) said the reading includes coastal surveillance, coastal attack drones, and small one-way attack unmanned surface vessels, and increased the Cabinet’s NT$210 billion (US$6.3 billion) proposal to NT$240 billion. He added that the law allows appropriations to ensure domestic drone development.
Chen said special budgets are financed by fiscal surpluses or borrowing, and cannot bypass procedures for expedience. He accused the Office of the President and the Cabinet of misleading the public. Chen said that with the passage of the drone bill, the Cabinet should countersign and proceed.
