Taiwan parliament approves annual military drone spending, rejects special budget

Taiwan's legislature has approved an annual budget of T$40 billion (approximately $1.26 billion) for military drones, a move aimed at bolstering the island's defense capabilities. However, the opposition-controlled parliament rejected a more ambitious government proposal for a special T$210 billion budget that would have run until 2031.

The government had argued for the necessity of the special budget, citing the Ukraine and Iran wars as evidence of the critical role uncrewed weapons play in modern warfare. This urgency was amplified by the rising threat from China, which considers Taiwan its own territory. The government's plan included acquiring approximately 210,000 drones.

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What I want to look at is whether the relevant bill that got passed meets the needs of the nation, and whether it meets the various needs for our defence self-reliance and for developing the entire drone and unmanned vehicle industry.

Instead of the special budget, the opposition pushed through its own proposals. These plans collectively amount to T$240 billion over six years, to be funded from the regular annual budget. While the principle is T$40 billion per year, the legislation allows for increased spending if deemed necessary.

Premier Cho Jung-tai acknowledged the parliamentary decision, stating that the government would carefully consider whether the passed legislation adequately meets the nation's defense needs and supports the development of its drone industry. His comments suggest a potential review or further discussion regarding the specifics of the drone procurement and development strategy.

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We will carefully consider this matter with regard to national needs and national security.