Taichung: The United States' top representative to Taiwan announced Thursday Washington's readiness to deepen cooperation with Taipei on uncrewed systems. This partnership is seen as a new business opportunity and a "game-changing opportunity" to bolster Taiwan's security and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

According to Focus Taiwan, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene spoke at a drone industry business forum in Taichung, highlighting that the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the effectiveness of a military with strong drone production capacity and a culture of technological innovation in defending itself against larger adversaries. Greene emphasized that Taiwan's world-leading technology and production capabilities position it well in this context.

"Drones don't just offer new avenues for business; they represent a game-changing opportunity to enhance Taiwan's security and reinforce peace in the broader Indo-Pacific region," Greene stated. He believes Taiwan's drone industry could become as significant for the next generation as semiconductors were for the previous one, leveraging Taiwan's unique combination of talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem.

Greene stressed the eagerness of the United States to partner with Taiwan in this endeavor. Closer U.S.-Taiwan cooperation, he noted, could anchor democratic drone production, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and strengthen the free world's collective deterrence posture.

"We are already in a golden age of U.S.-Taiwan partnership in AI and semiconductors," Greene said, adding that with drones and broader uncrewed systems, they have the opportunity to enter a "platinum age," leading the world in defining future technologies.

Greene concluded by underscoring the strategic role drones could play in Taiwan's defense, suggesting that turning Taiwan into a "hornet's nest" of drones could effectively deter conflict. He affirmed the United States' readiness to support Taiwan in achieving this vision.

These remarks coincide with Taiwan's major political parties advancing legislative proposals to support the domestic drone industry and expand procurement of Taiwan-made drones. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party's proposal includes establishing a special budget with no annual spending cap through 2031, financed through government borrowing or budget surpluses.

In contrast, opposition parties Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party proposed funding through the regular central government budget. The Cabinet and DPP lawmakers argue that this approach may not ensure continuity in funding and could increase fiscal pressure, potentially affecting social welfare and education spending.