Taipei: The Defense Innovation Office (DIO) is actively working on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with military operations and acquiring drones and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) as part of its procurement projects planned for the coming year, a defense official announced Thursday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense revealed its 2025 National Defense Report during a news conference, which highlighted the role of the DIO. Established on February 1, 2024, the DIO aims to harness private-sector technologies for military applications. Shih Chi-liang, an official from the Department of Integrated Assessment, stated that the DIO has developed varied procurement channels for drone and C-UAS systems. The office is currently assessing the needs of different military units and the General Staff Headquarters before launching official procurement programs.
Shih also provided insights into AI applications, noting that the office is conducting open solicitations to develop prototypes for three AI-related projects: an automatic-identification system for satellite imagery, an augmented-reality intelligent combat system, and an intelligent warehouse management system. The contractor selection process is complete, and prototype development is set to start next year.
Additionally, small-batch purchases are planned for next year, including items such as fiber-optic equipment, unmanned aerial systems, light weapons, C-UAS systems, and fire-control systems. Shih emphasized that these items will undergo field trials and evaluations to assess their effectiveness, which will inform larger-scale procurements in the future.
During the news conference, questions were raised regarding the military’s current counter-drone capabilities, which mainly rely on flare guns, rifles, and machine guns. The National Defense Report indicated that these measures are in place because drone-jamming systems have not yet been procured. In response, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Sun Li-fang assured that the ministry is actively assessing emerging technologies to determine the most suitable solutions for the nation’s defense needs.
