Taipei: Defense Minister Wellington Koo has urged the Legislature to back the Executive Yuan's proposal for a special act on unmanned systems procurement, which seeks authorization for up to NT$210 billion (US$6.49 billion) in funding over a six-year period. Koo's remarks came during a media interview following the Cabinet's submission of the bill aimed at advancing the procurement of domestically developed reconnaissance and attack drones, unmanned surface vessels, and other unmanned systems.
According to Focus Taiwan, the bill is currently under scrutiny by the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan, alongside rival proposals, including one from the Kuomintang. The Kuomintang's proposal suggests allocating NT$240 billion over six years for unmanned systems through the government's annual budget, with NT$40 billion earmarked for each year. Koo emphasized that the Cabinet's version encompasses a comprehensive range of unmanned systems, including aerial, surface, land, and underwater operations, as well as testing facilities and industry development support. He raised concerns that the NT$40 billion annual cap could lead to insufficient funding, potentially impacting programs like the MQ-9B drone procurement.
Koo highlighted the rapid evolution of unmanned-system technologies and expressed apprehension about imposing a fixed funding amount from annual budgets. He stressed the necessity for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to maintain ongoing communication with the Legislature to secure backing for the initiative.
In addition to the special act, Koo disclosed plans by the MND to equip military units with portable counter-drone systems for self-defense. This move indicates that counter-drone measures form an integral part of the military's broader air defense strategy. More mature counter-drone solutions currently include 30mm chain guns, while high-powered microwave and laser weapons are still under research and development worldwide. Koo noted that even the United States is actively working on counter-drone challenges, aiming to effectively coordinate firepower against diverse threats.
When questioned about the Chiang Kung air defense missile system and the "T-Dome" initiative, Koo confirmed the former's evaluation completion and its inclusion in the relevant budget. He stated that Taiwan's broader air defense system is evolving towards a layered defense concept. The system is designed to counter ballistic missiles, aircraft, long-range rocket fire, and drones, necessitating the integration of various sensors and intelligence to deploy the most suitable weapon system for each threat.
U.S. personnel have frequently attended Taiwan's military drills as observers, earning them the nickname "English teachers" among the public. Koo clarified that U.S. Indo-Pacific Command assists Taiwan in bolstering its defense capabilities at multiple levels, emphasizing that public sightings of "English teachers" represent only a fraction of the cooperation, with much of it occurring behind the scenes. He also stated that Taiwan and the United States maintain extensive and close military exchanges, surpassing public perceptions. Taiwan remains open to fostering close exchanges with other nations that share similar democratic values.