The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a draft special act on the procurement of indigenous unmanned defense systems, citing their growing role in modern asymmetric warfare. Under the act, total funding of up to NT$210 billion (approximately US$6.7 billion) will be allocated from August 2026 through December 2031 for the purchase of coastal surveillance drones, coastal attack drones and small suicide unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).

Premier Cho Jung-tai said that even though the Legislative Yuan passed its third and final reading of the Special Act on Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities Procurement on May 8, it authorized a military procurement package of only NT$780 billion (approx. US$24.7 billion) that fully excluded commercial purchases, commissioned production projects, and equipment and systems procured or jointly developed through Taiwan-U.S. cooperation. This will significantly compromise the nation's defense buildup and leave critical gaps in its military capabilities, he said.

Premier Cho emphasized the pressing need for Taiwan to integrate into global non-red supply chains and strengthen its domestic production capabilities for critical components, so as to ensure defense autonomy and maintain the armed forces' operational readiness and resilience. He added that the unmanned vehicles industry encompasses a wide range of fields, including vehicle manufacturing, battery systems, photoelectric sensors, artificial intelligence, communications equipment, software development and maintenance services. Growth in the industry will drive the development of Taiwan's drone supply chain, in turn stimulating broader domestic economic growth and establishing unmanned vehicles as an emerging strategic industry.

The premier stated that the proposed act is both necessary and urgent. The bill will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, with the aim of completing the legislative process as soon as possible and jointly safeguarding national security.