KMT caucus slams Executive Yuan over drone budget, claims government violated rules

Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus has publicly supported the development of the nation's drone industry and national defense autonomy, while simultaneously criticizing the Executive Yuan's budget allocation process.

The KMT caucus stated its full backing for national defense and the drone industry, highlighting that they had previously proposed the "National Defense Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle Technology Development and Procurement Act." This draft legislation outlines a substantial budget of NT$240 billion.

However, the KMT caucus is demanding that the Executive Yuan halt its NT$44.2 billion "National Unmanned Vehicle Industry Development Integrated Plan" and reduce its current budget allocation. They accuse the Executive Yuan of "shifting blame" and allege that the government violated regulations by allocating the budget before proper procedures were followed.

The KMT caucus refuted the Executive Yuan's claim that they deleted all drone-related budgets. They clarified that their own development and procurement act has already been submitted for joint review by relevant legislative committees. They criticized the Executive Yuan for allegedly using state machinery to spread "false information" and acting in an anti-democratic manner.

Furthermore, the KMT caucus asserted that their proposed bill offers a more comprehensive legal framework, encompassing domestic technological advantages, local procurement, localization needs, supply chain security, talent cultivation, and industry support. Their goal is to establish Taiwan as a critical hub for drone research, development, and manufacturing within the global democratic supply chain. They urged the ruling party to cease obstructing their NT$240 billion proposal, deeming it the truly responsible path for the nation's industrial future.