Drone Budget Cut: Minister Koo Outlines 3-Pronged Response Including Supplementary Budget

(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Tseng Yi-ning) The Legislative Yuan on May 8 passed a special defense bill in its third reading, but excluded commercial purchases and commissioned projects, leading to a significant reduction in the drone-related budget. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo stated today that the ministry will review each case and plan responses, including a supplementary budget, inclusion in the annual budget, and proposing a new special bill. The Executive Yuan had proposed an 8-year, NT$1.25 trillion special defense bill. The version passed by the Legislative Yuan on May 8 capped the budget at only NT$780 billion and excluded commercial purchases and commissioned projects, resulting in a substantial cut to the drone budget. President Lai Ching-te said today that the government would remedy the situation, propose another special bill, and use supplementary and increased annual budgets to conduct commercial procurement, commissioned projects, and international cooperation, as well as to promote defense industry self-sufficiency to produce land, sea, and air unmanned vehicles. The Legislative Yuan today invited Premier Cho Jung-tai and relevant ministry heads to report on the "Compilation Process of the Special Budget for the First Batch of Letter of Offer and Acceptance Procurements under the Plan to Defend National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities," and to take questions. Before the meeting, Koo told the media that in response to the drone budget issue, President Lai's intention includes a supplementary budget, inclusion in the annual budget, and a new special bill, all of which are within the planning scope. The Ministry of National Defense will review each case, discuss with the Executive Yuan, and accept its guidance. Regarding a China Times report that a domestic anti-drone system scored "zero in two tests," Koo said the Army will conduct a re-test according to the contract, and the Army will handle the matter based on the original procurement contract depending on the re-test results. Asked by the media about any new PLA movements on the second anniversary of the May 20 presidential inauguration, Koo said they will continue to closely monitor all surrounding dynamics, use joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means, and exchange diverse intelligence to make proper comprehensive judgments on all information. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150520