Lawmakers have passed a key budget bill that prioritizes the procurement of
indigenous unmanned vehicles, but includes a spending cap of 240 billion N-T.

The bill also allows for additional funding subject to legislative approval.

The Act on Strengthening Defense Autonomy and Developing the Unmanned
Vehicles Industry was initiated by the K-M-T and directs the Ministry of
National Defense to prioritize domestically produced "low-cost,
high-performance" unmanned systems.

It also covers three types of UV's: coastal attack drones, coastal
reconnaissance drones, and small suicide unmanned surface vehicles.

The act further requires the central government to earmark 40-billion N-T
annually for six consecutive years, using its general budget to procure
unmanned vehicles, to bolster national defense and drive industrial growth.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense will
oversee its implementation and establish at least three test sites for
military and private manufacturers.

The two agencies must also brief the Cabinet and the Legislature annually on
progress in procurement, efforts to meet domestic mass production targets and
manufacturer accreditation.