US expert warns Taiwan's drone bill blockage jeopardizes national security, leadership opportunity

Taiwan's legislative efforts to bolster its drone industry face significant hurdles, with opposition parties repeatedly blocking key bills. The latest setback occurred when the "Drone Industry Creation Special Act" draft, proposed by Democratic Progressive Party legislators, was again sent back to committee by opposition parties on June 5.

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Taiwan has a unique opportunity to step up and lead the industry. If it ultimately cannot get support, Taiwan's rise may be slower than expected, allowing countries like South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe, which are investing heavily, to fill the void more quickly.

This legislative gridlock has drawn sharp criticism from Michael Robbins, CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). In an exclusive interview with Liberty Times, Robbins warned that Taiwan possesses a unique chance to lead the global drone industry amid intense supply chain competition. He cautioned that failing to seize this opportunity would allow countries like South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and European nations, which are heavily investing in the sector, to quickly fill the void.

Robbins revealed that he discussed the matter with Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, who expressed strong support for developing the drone industry. While Robbins refrained from commenting on the political motivations behind the opposition's actions, he noted that Mayor Lu recognizes the special budget's importance for Taichung, a city with a robust manufacturing base including companies like Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and Taiwan Hawk.

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This truly involves a lot of domestic politics, but at its core, it concerns Taiwan's will for self-defense and its future, and more importantly, your national security. We hope this matter can be completed as soon as possible.

"This truly involves a lot of domestic politics, but at its core, it concerns Taiwan's will for self-defense and its future, and more importantly, your national security," Robbins stated. "We hope this matter can be completed as soon as possible." He stressed that any delay in drone investment could send a discouraging signal to the US and Beijing, suggesting Taiwan is not serious about its self-defense capabilities or its role as a partner.

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This might send a message that Taiwan's will for self-defense, its development of this industry, and its seriousness as a partner are not being taken seriously.

Robbins urged Taiwan to make every effort to signal to the US and its democratic allies that it is serious about deterrence. He argued that significant investment in indigenous capabilities is essential to complicate Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision-making calculus, forcing him to hesitate and ultimately deem an invasion "not worth the risk."

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If you expect the US to defend you in a situation of isolation, invasion, or blockade, the prerequisite is that Taiwan has done everything possible to make it difficult for the CCP to achieve its goals beforehand. If the outside world believes that Taiwan does not attach importance to this matter and that social will does not support self-defense, then expecting the US to send an aircraft carrier battle group into the Taiwan Strait to support you is unreasonable.