Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo spoke to the media today before appearing at the Legislative Yuan for questioning, addressing issues including the Joint Defense Exercise, the Special Act for the Procurement of Indigenous Unmanned Systems for National Defense, and intelligence sharing.
Minister Koo stated that the Joint Defense Exercise builds on the Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise. Conducted ahead of the Han Kuang Exercise, it employs a decentralized command-and-control structure to strengthen coordination and cooperation among the military services, conduct joint operations, and validate defense operation plans.
Asked whether the special act would cover new types of unmanned systems, given Ukraine’s shift toward integrated systems, Minister Koo said that the Special Act was drafted based on operational requirements. The systems to be procured include coastal surveillance and reconnaissance drones, coastal attack drones, unmanned underwater vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and unmanned ground vehicles, among other emerging technologies.
Minister Koo further explained that some unmanned systems would be procured in small quantities for testing and validation, while others would be studied through research projects commissioned from the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. Requirements relating to systems integration and AI-assisted command and control will also be included in future annual or supplementary budget proposals.
Regarding intelligence sharing, Minister Koo explained that the Ministry closely monitors PLA’s activities through its joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems and diverse intelligence channels. The Ministry also maintains a close coordination mechanism with the National Security Council and operates in accordance with that mechanism.