Mayor Lu backs KMT drone bill; Councilor criticizes 'wrong direction'

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has voiced support for a drone ordinance proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus, suggesting a budget of 240 billion New Taiwan dollars allocated over six years through general appropriations. However, this stance has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Councilor Huang Shou-da, who argues that the KMT's approach is misguided and detrimental to the development of Taiwan's drone industry.

Huang contends that government procurement processes should avoid frequent changes. He highlights that the Executive Yuan's version of the drone ordinance utilizes a special budget to provide predictability for manufacturers. In contrast, the KMT's proposal relies on general appropriations, which are frequently subject to legislative delays. Huang notes that the current year's general budget is still pending in the legislature, even as the next year's budget is due.

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The government procurement is most afraid of changing orders. The Executive Yuan's version uses a special budget to provide predictability for manufacturers. The KMT's version uses general appropriations, which are often subject to legislative obstruction. More than half of this year has passed, and the general budget for next year is about to be submitted, but this year's general budget is still in the Legislative Yuan.

Furthermore, Huang criticizes the KMT's version for removing specific defense-oriented drone types, such as those for coastal surveillance and attack, and unmanned attack boats. These omissions stand in stark contrast to the Executive Yuan's plan, which aligns with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John Aquilino's 'Hellscape' strategy aimed at deterring a potential Chinese invasion. Huang argues that the Executive Yuan's approach, by focusing on deterrence, is more strategically sound.

Huang outlines the Executive Yuan's three-part logic: stable and continuous funding through a special budget, guiding manufacturers to develop and produce deterrent-capable defense drones, and cultivating a local supply chain. He asserts that the KMT's version lacks this coherent policy framework. While acknowledging Mayor Lu's interest in the drone industry, Huang urges her to conduct more thorough research, emphasizing that Taichung, and Taiwan, cannot afford to waste time on ineffective strategies.

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Mayor Lu wants to leverage the drone industry, which is understandable, but she probably needs to do more homework. Taichung doesn't have that much time to waste.