KMT's Drone Budget Freeze Criticized as 'Delay Tactic' Harming 267 Businesses

Taiwanese lawmakers are pushing for the swift passage of a special bill to bolster the domestic drone and unmanned vessel industry, warning that proposed budget freezes by the opposition could cripple the sector. Legislator Lai Rui-long, along with several colleagues from Kaohsiung, held a press conference calling for the immediate review of the Executive Yuan's draft "Unmanned Vehicle Procurement Special Statute." They argue that stable, long-term orders are crucial for domestic manufacturers to upgrade to military-grade technology and enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities, especially in light of evolving warfare tactics seen in the Ukraine conflict. Lai criticized the Kuomintang (KMT) party's proposal to freeze, and potentially eliminate, a 44.2 billion yuan budget for the unmanned vehicle industry development, arguing this tactic would undermine 267 related businesses nationwide. He stressed that unmanned vehicles are a core component of asymmetric warfare, essential for countering threats from mainland China. The proposed special statute and budget are intended to provide certainty for research and development and production line expansion. Lai also highlighted Kaohsiung's role as a testbed for unmanned systems, with local companies like CSBC Corporation possessing significant manufacturing and integration capabilities. He suggested incorporating larger unmanned vehicle demands to address potential wartime blockades and enhance disaster relief capabilities. Chen Cheng-hung, chairman of CSBC, expressed industry support for the bill, emphasizing the need for practical application and iterative design based on Taiwan's unique maritime environment. He also clarified that unmanned vehicles and submarines are complementary, not substitutes, with each serving distinct roles in modern defense.

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From the experience of the Russia-Ukraine war, new types of warfare have changed dramatically, with thousands of drones being consumed daily becoming the norm. Unmanned vehicles have become the core of asymmetric warfare.