Taiwan Legislature Passes NT$240 Billion Drone Budget Over Six Years

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan held an extraordinary session on August 27 to deliberate the drone regulations draft. Following cross-party negotiations, the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party, leveraging their numerical advantage, passed the Kuomintang version of the drone budget in the third reading. The budget spans six years, with NT$40 billion allocated annually, totaling NT$240 billion, and allows for supplementary appropriations if necessary. The Executive Yuan's earlier proposal of NT$210 billion over five years failed to gain opposition support, as disagreements over the budgeting method and scale remained unresolved, leading the opposition to finalize the plan through its majority.

The budget incorporates three equipment items proposed by the Executive Yuan: coastal surveillance and reconnaissance drones, coastal attack drones, and small suicide unmanned boats. It also mandates that the Ministry of National Defense procure these systems based on operational requirements and technological developments. The Kuomintang conceded during negotiations, designating the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense as joint competent authorities responsible for related affairs.

The budget also includes the establishment of the "National Unmanned Vehicle Industry Development Strategy Special Committee," as advocated by the Taiwan People's Party. The committee, set up under the Executive Yuan, will convene at least once every six months to review the industry development guidelines and major policy matters for unmanned vehicles.