2020/07/20
The Ministry of National Defense issued a press release regarding the media coverage titled “Institutional negligence? Procurement of Patriot III Extension ends up a mix-up” (July 20, 2020)
Ministry of National Defense Press Release
July 20, 2020 10:10 (GMT +8)
In response to the media coverage with the title ““Institutional negligence? Procurement of Patriot III Extension ends up a mix-up,” the Ministry of National Defense made the following statement on July 20:
1. The MND has completed their overall budget planning and stipulated its division of realms of authority on the basis of military investment and maintenance of operations, drawing clear lines with regard to further arms procurement demand from the US. The procurement for Patriot III missile system was finalized in 2014, whose supporting paperwork already included technical services and maintenance and overhaul in the budget planning.
2. The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (“PAC-3”) Re-certification project, however, pertains to the request for renewal of components and services based on the pre-scheduled overhaul and maintenance plan for the missile system, which is not a part of the Patriot III Extension project. The Air Force Command Headquarters has planned annual budget accordingly in accordance with the items finalized in a meeting with the US counterpart. Nevertheless, the Air Force did not execute the project adhering to stipulated procurement, which will result in some disciplinary actions against them quoting applicable institutional mechanisms. Measures of supervision will also be introduced to avoid such circumstance.
3. The project is currently pending notification by the US government to its Congress. While the procurement has not marked the final stages, the Air Force is still required to finalize their demand with the US, which needs to be approved by the Legislative Yuan before greenlighting the budgeting and the price agreement.