Taiwan's legislature approved a bill meant to build up its own defense drone industry, but the law sets no actual purchase size or timeline — a setback for the military's urgent drone plans.

• The bill passed after months of fighting, having been stripped out entirely in May before reappearing as words on paper.
• A push to buy three types of military drones has been stuck in the legislature since November, with nothing concrete to show.
• Japan, facing the same rush to field drones, went from open call to a signed mass-production contract in 85 days using a fast-track procurement route.
• Drone technology moves fast, and the delay means Taiwan has fallen generations behind while nearby countries move quicker.

Outlook: Without a firm purchase plan attached, Taiwan's drone buildup is likely to keep slipping even with the new law in place.