The Ministry of National Defense’s Defense Innovation Office (DIO) is working on the logistics to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with military tasks as well as acquire drones and counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS), with a range of small procurement projects slated for next year, a defense official said on Thursday.
The defense ministry unveiled the 2025 National Defense Report earlier the same day, which included a section on the DIO, launched last year, to help source private-sector technologies for military uses.
In response to media queries on whether the office’s responsibilities include integrating AI and drones into the military, Shih Chi-liang (史奇良), an official from the ministry’s Department of Integrated Assessment, said the DIO has established diversified procurement channels for drone and C-UAS systems and is assessing the needs of military units and the General Staff Headquarters before procurement programs are officially initiated.
Photo: Fang Wei-li, Taipei Times
Regarding AI applications, Shih said the office is conducting open solicitations to develop prototypes for three projects: an AI automatic-identification system for satellite imagery, an augmented-reality intelligent combat system and an intelligent warehouse management system.
The selection process for contractors has been finalized and the development of prototypes is expected to begin next year, he said.
Low-quantity purchases are planned for next year to procure items such as fiber-optic equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, light weapons, C-UAS systems and fire-control systems, he added.
“The goal is to deliver these items to units for field trials and evaluation, so we can assess their operational effectiveness and use the results as a reference when considering larger follow-on procurements,” Shih said.
Reporters at the conference asked why the military appears to be under-equipped in counter-drone capabilities, as the report noted that current measures include flare guns, rifles and machine guns.
These solutions have been adopted because drone-jamming systems “have yet to be procured,” the report said.
Director-General of the Administration Office Major General Sun Li-fang (孫立方) said C-UAS systems are evolving rapidly, and the ministry is working diligently to identify which new technologies and systems best meet the nation’s needs.
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