Taiwan President signs law to fund domestic drone development and defense autonomy
The President of Taiwan signed a new act allocating NT$240 billion over six years to boost indigenous unmanned vehicle production and strengthen defense self-reliance.
Taiwan's President issued a presidential order on September 11 to enact a law aimed at enhancing the island's defense autonomy and expanding its unmanned vehicle sector. Premier Cho Jung-tai countersigned the act after it cleared the Legislature on August 27, and the law will take effect six months later, while its budget measures start immediately. The government plans to allocate NT$240 billion (about US$7.56 billion) across six years, roughly NT$40 billion each year, for development and procurement of drones and other unmanned systems.
The Ministry of National Defense must give priority to domestically produced, cost-effective, high-performance platforms, and additional funds may be granted if the Legislature approves them. Executive Yuan Secretary-General Xavier Chang emphasized the urgency of bolstering security despite ongoing political debates. A prior proposal for a NT$210 billion special budget on the same issue had been rejected by lawmakers.
Why it matters
The funding aims to reduce Taiwan's reliance on foreign defense equipment and spur a local high-tech industry.
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