Drone Procurement: Special Statute or Annual Budget? Tech Firm Favors Steady Approach

A debate is underway in Taiwan regarding the procurement of drones for national defense, with the government proposing a special statute for a NT$700 billion (approximately $210 billion) budget, while opposition parties favor integrating it into the regular annual budget. Li Wen-ching, founder of Sky Flying Technology, a company involved in drone research and production since 2003, suggests that an annual budget review process would be more beneficial for the industry's stable growth.

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For the drone industry, it is better to proceed step by step and adopt annual budget reviews.

Li expressed concern over the recent surge in attention and urgency surrounding drone development, warning against hasty decisions. He stated that while unmanned vehicles are crucial for future national defense and industrial development, they require careful consideration rather than rushed implementation. Li, who claims no political affiliation, believes that a special statute could lead to a "hundred schools of thought contend" scenario, potentially driven by financial interests rather than the actual needs of the technology and products.

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Unmanned vehicles are a very important future national defense equipment and a very important industry for national development; they should be carefully considered and not rushed.

He argues that government budgets should align with the industry's natural development path, focusing on genuine business and product progression. Li fears that a large, special allocation could result in a free-for-all, where both legitimate and non-legitimate players rush to secure funds, potentially jeopardizing the nation's future and marginalizing companies like his that are genuinely committed to drone development.

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With special budgets released all at once while everyone is still exploring, a hundred schools of thought will contend; many will be driven by profit, not by the needs of the products or inventions.

Sky Flying Technology, based in Tainan, has been developing and producing drones since 2003. Li's perspective emphasizes a desire for a structured, long-term approach to drone procurement, ensuring that investments support sustainable industry growth and national security objectives, rather than succumbing to short-term pressures or potential profiteering.

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Government budgets should return to the industry level, advancing through the normal development path of business and products, not by throwing large sums of money.