Legislative Yuan Cuts All Drone and Unmanned Boat Budget; Executive Yuan Says 'No Gap in National Defense'
The Legislative Yuan completely cut the budget for 210,000 drones and 1,300 unmanned boats from the Executive Yuan's special national defense budget. On June 11, the Executive Yuan stated there is no gap in national defense and the government's resolve for defense autonomy remains unchanged. Relevant ministries are considering options including incorporating the budget into the annual budget, a supplementary budget, or proposing a special act.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 14:05
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 14:17 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 14:42 (25 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, reporters Yu Kaixiang and Lai Yuzhen, Taipei, June 11) In response to the Legislative Yuan's complete deletion of the budget for drones and unmanned boats, the Executive Yuan stated today that there is no gap in national defense, and the government's determination to achieve defense autonomy has not changed. Relevant ministries are currently studying and planning, with options including incorporating it into the annual budget, a supplementary budget, or proposing a special act.
The Executive Yuan proposed an 8-year, NT$1.25 trillion special national defense act. The version passed by the Legislative Yuan on May 8 capped the budget at NT$780 billion, excluded commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing projects, and significantly cut the drone-related budget.
At a press conference following the Executive Yuan Council meeting, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Huizhi stated that there is no gap in national defense, and the government's resolve to achieve defense autonomy remains unchanged. Relevant ministries are currently studying plans, with options including incorporating it into the annual budget, a supplementary budget, or proposing a special act. The government will use these methods to fully build a defense-autonomous drone and unmanned vehicle industry chain.
Li Huizhi pointed out that drone development is an international trend, citing Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara's call for drone project proposals on social media, as he believes drone development cannot wait a single moment. However, in Taiwan, the budget for 210,000 drones and 1,300 unmanned boats in the special budget was completely cut.
Li Huizhi stated that drones have very diverse applications. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang mentioned at the council meeting that a construction site manager at the Mataian River who went missing due to heavy rain was found and rescued by a drone deployed by the National Fire Agency. Liu added that by the end of May, fire departments across all counties and cities in Taiwan were equipped with 420 drones, 88 of which were fully subsidized by the Executive Yuan for technological disaster relief. Additionally, the number of professional drone pilots in Taiwan has reached 1,200.
Liu Shih-fang stated that after this rescue experience, it was found that drones can play a significant role in technological disaster relief. The goal is to reach 797 drones by the year 2029 (Minguo 118), so that every fire brigade in Taiwan has a set of drones. This is the Ministry of the Interior's goal, and if the budget is sufficient, the National Fire Agency hopes to adopt a full subsidy approach.
Li Huizhi stated that for the drone budget, whether it is incorporated into the annual budget, a supplementary budget, or a special act, budget support is needed. However, this year's total budget has been with the Legislative Yuan for 287 days since it was sent on August 19 last year. The Executive Yuan will submit next year's total budget to the Legislative Yuan for review at the end of August this year. It hopes the Legislative Yuan can complete the review of this year's total budget as soon as possible to allow the public budget to return to normal, stating, "Let's not let the Legislative Yuan have a historical record of two total budgets both remaining unapproved." (Editor: Su Zhizong) 1150611
The Executive Yuan proposed an 8-year, NT$1.25 trillion special national defense act. The version passed by the Legislative Yuan on May 8 capped the budget at NT$780 billion, excluded commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing projects, and significantly cut the drone-related budget.
At a press conference following the Executive Yuan Council meeting, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Huizhi stated that there is no gap in national defense, and the government's resolve to achieve defense autonomy remains unchanged. Relevant ministries are currently studying plans, with options including incorporating it into the annual budget, a supplementary budget, or proposing a special act. The government will use these methods to fully build a defense-autonomous drone and unmanned vehicle industry chain.
Li Huizhi pointed out that drone development is an international trend, citing Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara's call for drone project proposals on social media, as he believes drone development cannot wait a single moment. However, in Taiwan, the budget for 210,000 drones and 1,300 unmanned boats in the special budget was completely cut.
Li Huizhi stated that drones have very diverse applications. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang mentioned at the council meeting that a construction site manager at the Mataian River who went missing due to heavy rain was found and rescued by a drone deployed by the National Fire Agency. Liu added that by the end of May, fire departments across all counties and cities in Taiwan were equipped with 420 drones, 88 of which were fully subsidized by the Executive Yuan for technological disaster relief. Additionally, the number of professional drone pilots in Taiwan has reached 1,200.
Liu Shih-fang stated that after this rescue experience, it was found that drones can play a significant role in technological disaster relief. The goal is to reach 797 drones by the year 2029 (Minguo 118), so that every fire brigade in Taiwan has a set of drones. This is the Ministry of the Interior's goal, and if the budget is sufficient, the National Fire Agency hopes to adopt a full subsidy approach.
Li Huizhi stated that for the drone budget, whether it is incorporated into the annual budget, a supplementary budget, or a special act, budget support is needed. However, this year's total budget has been with the Legislative Yuan for 287 days since it was sent on August 19 last year. The Executive Yuan will submit next year's total budget to the Legislative Yuan for review at the end of August this year. It hopes the Legislative Yuan can complete the review of this year's total budget as soon as possible to allow the public budget to return to normal, stating, "Let's not let the Legislative Yuan have a historical record of two total budgets both remaining unapproved." (Editor: Su Zhizong) 1150611