Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) today vowed to implement strict controls once indigenous drones enter mass production, following reports that the Rui Yuan II was found to contain China-made components.
Chinese-language media reported that the indigenous Rui Yuan II uncrewed aerial vehicle, designed by the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, was found to contain Chinese-made communication modules and SD cards during an import inspection.
Military drones should be entirely free from Chinese components in the “red supply chain,” and stricter controls would be implemented once the Rui Yuan II drones enter mass production, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told lawmakers.
Screen grab from an institute YouTube video
The drone has not yet entered mass production and is still in the research-and-development stage, institute president Lee Shih-chiang (李世強) said.
The institute has already enforced contract provisions requiring the manufacturer to replace the Chinese-made components with those from Taiwan’s own supply chain, he said.
The institute imports many components from overseas, and contracts contain stipulations on source countries, although it is not feasible for on-site manufacturing audits to be conducted abroad, he added.
Therefore, sourcing issues often arise in the latter stages of product development after import, he said.
The institute would assist the manufacturer in finding alternative components and establishing non-red supply chains that would ensure no products contain Chinese-made elements, he added.
The military also has guidelines stating that products containing components from Chinese supply chains cannot be used in key weapons and equipment, Koo said.
This is enforced using factory inspections and country-of-origin certificates at the start of the development process, as well as conducting comprehensive final inspections, he added.
The military ranks Chinese-manufactured items using a five-tier classification system, with no regulations on whether non-critical items such as tables are made in China, Koo said.
However, Chinese-made components with transmission capabilities are strictly prohibited, he added.
Additional reporting by CNA
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS