634 Billion Budget for Drones Passed! Ko Chien-yen: Don't Let Drones Become DPP's Election Slander Tool

On the 14th, the KMT issued a press release stating that it fully supports the development of the drone industry and the strengthening of national defense. The 6-year 442 billion NTD 'Unmanned Vehicle Industry Development Comprehensive Plan' by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the 192 billion NTD procurement budget by various departments of the Executive Yuan, totaling 634 billion NTD, were all passed. Ko Chien-yen posted on Facebook, pointing out that supporting the industry and supervising the budget are not a choice of two, and refuted the DPP's slander. Ko Chien-yen stated that in recent days, the DPP and the DPP's Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Reilung have repeatedly blackened and slandered, claiming that Ko Chien-yen is 'obstructing the development of Kaohsiung's drone industry.' However, the results of the 14th legislative vote have given the most direct answer: the Ministry of Economic Affairs' 442 billion NTD plan and the Executive Yuan's 192 billion NTD procurement budget, totaling 634 billion NTD, were all passed and excluded from this year's total budget cut of 1.5%. Ko Chien-yen pointed out that he has never opposed the drone industry, but has actively assisted Kaohsiung businesses in connecting with the U.S. market and securing international orders. The opposition party also fully supports the 634 billion NTD budget, while requiring the 442 billion NTD industry plan to be evenly allocated and not exceed the standard each year, in order to provide businesses with long-term, stable orders from the government and avoid fluctuations in the budget that could affect industry development. Ko Chien-yen mentioned that since the government has invested 634 billion NTD, if there are concerns from the outside about whether the 442 billion NTD industry plan and the 192 billion NTD procurement budget are duplicated, it should be explained clearly and explicitly. Supporting national defense and industrial development has never been a reason to abandon supervision, and related procurements should strictly adhere to the 'Government Procurement Act' to prevent privileged monopolies and layer-by-layer subcontracting, and avoid strategic industries becoming tools for a few to profit. Ko Chien-yen stated that Taiwan wants to build a world-class drone industry, of course, fully support it, but supporting the industry and supervising the budget have never been a choice of two. The 634 billion NTD was smoothly passed on the 14th, and the slander was refuted on its own! It has been proven that those who distort 'budget supervision' into 'obstructing the industry' have been slapped in the face; what Kaohsiung needs is to truly develop the drone industry, rather than letting the drone become a political tool for the DPP's election slander. Ko Chien-yen mentioned that he would like to pay the highest respect to all air force personnel who defend the Taiwan Strait airspace and safeguard national security, wishing all air force brothers and sisters to fly safely and defend the blue sky, and wishing Taiwan's national defense strength and industrial strength to fly higher and farther together, wishing everyone a happy Air Force Day!