2023/02/15
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release to clarify media reports that "The Ministry of National Defense requested the National Defense Industrial Development Foundation to allocate NT$700 million to invest in a private drone manufacturer"
Press Release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: February 15, 2023 at 19:15
With respect to media reports that the Ministry of National Defense (MND)
requested the National Defense Industrial Development Foundation to allocate
NT$700 million to invest in a private drone manufacturer, the MND has clarifies as
follows after conducting an investigation:
1. All investment projects of the National Defense Industrial Development
Foundation must be first reviewed and approved by the board of directors before
they are sent to the Executive Yuan for ratification. There is currently no allocation
of any funding for drone procurement from private manufacturers.
2. The acquisition of any drones by the MND shall be handled according to
procurement procedures. Only following tests and assessments will plans for mass
production of drones be put in place in the future. The MND calls on the media to
conduct their due diligence and verify reports before issuing news to the general
public.