Taiwan's opposition parties pushed through their own version of a drone and defense-industry law, and critics say it will slow down the country's ability to actually buy attack and surveillance drones — bad news for Taiwan's defense readiness.

• The legislature passed the KMT-backed bill requiring the government to budget NT$400 billion a year for six years, NT$2.4 trillion in total.
• The Cabinet's plan to use a special budget specifically to buy attack and surveillance drones was voted down by the KMT and TPP.
• DPP lawmaker Fan Yun says the new law spreads the money across other items, so less of it reaches drone purchases and the drone industry itself.
• Japanese press coverage questions whether President Lai Ching-te's government still has the money and authority to build up Taiwan's drone capability.
• Japan, by comparison, went from an open call for anti-drone systems in June to a signed mass-production contract in 85 days, with deliveries starting in September.

Outlook: Taiwan's young drone industry faces more uncertainty, and its drone buildup looks likely to keep slipping while the parties fight over the money.