Drone cooperation a 'game-changer' for Taiwan's security: U.S. envoy

Taipei, July 2 (CNA) The United States' top representative to Taiwan said Thursday that Washington is ready to deepen cooperation with Taipei on uncrewed systems, describing the partnership as both a new business opportunity and a "game-changing opportunity" to bolster Taiwan's security and that of the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking at a drone industry business forum in Taichung, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene said the war in Ukraine has shown that "a military with robust drone production capacity and a culture of technological innovation can punch far above its weight" in defending itself against a larger adversary.

"That is very good news for Taiwan, with its world-beating technology and production capabilities," Greene said.

"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."

The de facto U.S. ambassador said he believes Taiwan's drone industry "can be for the island's next generation what semiconductors were for the previous one -- a sector where Taiwan's unique combination of talent, infrastructure, and ecosystem creates a durable, world-leading competitive advantage."

"The United States is eager to be your partner in this journey," he said.

According to Greene, closer U.S.-Taiwan cooperation will help "anchor democratic drone production, reduce vulnerability to supply chain disruption, and strengthen the collective deterrence posture of the free world."

"We are already in a golden age of U.S.-Taiwan partnership in AI and semiconductors," he said.

"But with drones -- along with the broader ecosystem of uncrewed systems, embodied AI, and advanced robotics -- we have the opportunity to enter a platinum age: one in which our two economies jointly lead the world in all the key technologies that will define the future."

Greene concluded by emphasizing the strategic role drones could play in Taiwan's defense.

"Nothing will deter conflict more effectively than turning Taiwan into a hornet's nest of air, surface, and subsurface drones. The United States stands ready to be your partner in achieving this vision," he said.

Greene's remarks came as Taiwan's major political parties advance competing legislative proposals to support the domestic drone industry and expand procurement of Taiwan-made drones.

The proposal put forward by the Cabinet of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party would establish a special budget with no annual spending cap through the end of 2031, financed through government borrowing or budget surpluses carried over from previous fiscal years.

In contrast, the legislative caucuses of the opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party have proposed funding the initiative through the regular central government budget instead of a special budget.

The opposition parties' proposals, the Cabinet and DPP lawmakers argued, would not guarantee continuity in funding and could significantly increase fiscal pressure and crowd out spending on social welfare and education.