Taiwan budget delay risks drones proven vital by Iran, Ukraine: lawmaker

Interview DPP’s top legislator for defense says KMT spending cuts send wrong message to China, US Taiwan-based Thunder Tiger Group displays a drone during a media tour in Taichung in April. Taiwan is pursuing an asymmetric defense strategy in which unmanned vehicles would play a key role. © Reuters TAIPEI — The fight over Taiwan’s defense spending risks gutting drone outlays at a time when the wars in Iran and Ukraine have highlighted their importance, undermining Taipei’s message that it is determined to protect itself, a leader of the legislature’s defense committee warned in an interview.