Taiwan Legislature Rejects Nearly $6 Billion Special Budget for Military Drone Expansion

Taiwan's parliament has rejected a government-proposed special budget of NT$210 billion (approximately £4.9 billion) aimed at significantly expanding the Taiwanese military's drone forces.

Instead of the proposed plan, the parliament approved only the opposition party's plan to allocate NT$40 billion per year.

Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned that while the government had planned to purchase more than 210,000 military drones by 2031 amid rising Chinese military threats, this restriction by parliament could hinder the enhancement of the military's drone combat capabilities.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also pointed out that the delay in budget review creates uncertainty for the country's urgent defense needs.

However, a legislator from the main opposition Kuomintang party responded that the government cannot request a budget without proper oversight, and that the opposition's plan would allow for more effective scrutiny of budget spending.

Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that the bill approved by parliament will be carefully reviewed and assessed to determine whether it aligns with the country's defense needs and the development of the drone industry.

Ref; The Independent

Photo; Reuters