2024/02/15
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release to explain media reports that "military commercial drones project will be delayed" (February 15, 2024)
Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: February 15, 2024 at 14:00
In response to media reports that "the military commercial drones project will be delayed", the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (15th) that the procurement of various weapons and equipment for the Armed Forces is furnished based on enemy threats and planning guidance of the joint combat force. After construction processes are completed, they will be implemented in accordance with the principle of "Openness and Pragmatism" , and will not be altered due to any personnel changes.
The MND explained that since 2024, it has referred to the experiences of the Russo-Ukrainian War and principles of asymmetric warfare to exhaustively build up various types of drones as its primary objective. Nearly NT$1.4 billion has been appropriated from the statutory budget this year. Aside from land-based surveillance and reconnaissance drones that are scheduled for implementation by 2028, the funding for the remaining four micro-drone projects will be acquired in 2025. The project is, for the time being, being facilitated and promoted according to indigenous national defense by the Armament Bureau.
The MND pointed out that the media should do their best to conduct their due diligence to verify the facts of arms build-up and national defense planning to avoid misleading the public and jeopardizing the security of our national defense.