DPP caucus: Unmanned Vehicle Act beneficial for livelihoods and national security, hopes for bipartisan cooperation

Taipei, June 22 (CNA) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus stated today that the Executive Yuan's proposed special act for the procurement of unmanned vehicles is a bill beneficial to people's livelihoods and national security, as well as an industrial issue. They hope for bipartisan cooperation to contribute to Taiwan's security and industry, and also urge Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu to expedite its passage upon his return from the United States.

The special act for military procurement passed by the Legislative Yuan in May had the items for drones and unmanned boats removed. To continue promoting the development of unmanned vehicles for national defense, the Executive Yuan passed the draft special act for the procurement of indigenous unmanned vehicles for national defense on June 18. The budget ceiling is set at NT$210 billion, with the phased procurement of maritime surveillance and attack drones, as well as small suicide unmanned boats, from August of this year to the end of 2031.

DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming, whip Zhuang Ruei-hong, and secretary-general Fan Yun held a press conference this morning. Ker Chien-ming said that the previous draft special act for defense procurement of NT$1.25 trillion proposed by the Executive Yuan was a result of joint discussions between Taiwan and the US on Indo-Pacific security and peaceful development, recognizing Taiwan's need for indigenous defense and protective capabilities. However, it was ultimately opposed by the opposition and only NT$780 billion was passed.

Ker Chien-ming pointed out that the current draft special act for the procurement of unmanned vehicles, with a budget of NT$210 billion over five years proposed by the Executive Yuan, expresses the Republic of China government's strong commitment to defending peace in the Taiwan Strait to the United States, the world, and all citizens. It enhances national defense resilience and indigenous defense capabilities, and is also related to industrial development.

Ker Chien-ming stated that Taiwan's precision machining industry is very strong. If it can expand into the defense industry, drone industry, and unmanned boat industry, it will help the development of traditional industries. Therefore, the development of drones and unmanned boats is not only a security issue but also an economic and industrial issue.

Ker Chien-ming said that the Kuomintang previously removed parts related to drones from the NT$1.25 trillion special act. He hopes they will not say one thing and do another this time and should work together across party lines to contribute to Taiwan's security and industry. The draft has been sent to the Legislative Yuan, and they hope that upon Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu's return from his visit to the US, he can expedite its promotion. He believes that the US side is certainly aware of the draft proposed by the Executive Yuan, and Han Kuo-yu might be able to take the opportunity to express the KMT's stance, as this is a very important part of building US-Taiwan relations.

Zhuang Ruei-hong said that this is a bill beneficial to people's livelihoods and national security, and they hope for rational discussion on its content and budget. Fan Yun stated that the draft aims to cultivate the domestic drone industry supply chain through large quantities, long-term orders, and iterative updates, and also includes international non-red supply chains. They hope the opposition will quickly allow the draft to have its first reading and enter substantive review. (Edited by Wang Shu-ching) 06/22/115

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