Taiwan passes drone and defense industry bill over Cabinet objections
Taiwan's legislature approved a six-year drone and defense-industry funding law, and the Cabinet says it is not enough to meet the island's urgent military needs.
- Lawmakers passed a bill setting aside NT$240 billion over six years — about NT$40 billion a year — to build up domestic drone and unmanned vehicle production.
- The Cabinet's own version was rejected, and it called that a deep disappointment, saying the approved law does not match how fast Taiwan needs to arm itself.
- The Cabinet had pushed the drone bill to fill gaps left after parts of a NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget were cut.
- The government says it will still fund and buy the drones as fast as it can, arguing national security cannot wait.
- The economics ministry runs the program, but the defense ministry handles anything tied to military procurement.
Outlook: The Cabinet will review whether the new law can be stretched to cover its planned purchases and move ahead with drone orders regardless.