2021/06/15
The Navy Command Headquarter issued a press release in response to media reports stating that "our drone troops are short in supply of manpower, so that servicemen might even have to compensate for drone crash" (June 15, 2021)
In response to the media report that "our drone troops are short in supply of manpower, and servicemen might even have to compensate for drone crash," the Navy Command Headquarter stated today (15) that the content of report does not match facts, and it has conducted the explanation as follows:
1. The operator training and professional qualification visas of NCSIST Albatross are carried out in accordance with annual training implementation plan, while existing qualified manpower is sufficient to meet the manpower needs in peace and war. As for media coverage, the contents of reports have not been verified, and should confuse the general public with its arbitrary report, which is unfair to the servicemen who are striving hard in their mission. As such, the media is requested to exercise self-discipline.
2. The Navy Command has appropriated to increase the repair and manufacturing funding commissioned for NCSIST Albatross as its life-span has come to its limit. As such, such funding has been included in the annual maintenance and regular upkeep costs, and the expenditures are accurately budgeted for such purpose.
3. NCSIST Albatross is the first-generation drone buy the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). Throughout the years, it has experienced several incidents of equipment damage, but NCSIST has never asked the servicemen to compensate for crash. Moreover, the Navy and NCSIST have pragmatically reviewed accident causes, and kept improving its shortcomings to gradually enhance its performance. Furthermore, it has also strengthened personnel training and availability rate of equipment to ensure the implementation of surveillance as well as reconnaissance tasks.
4. According to the regulations of drone operation, it is clearly stipulated that this type of machinery is reckoned as consumable, while servicemen of the units should carry out drone maintenance and inspection as well as personnel operation training based on regulations to sustain the availability of machinery and maximize intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions.