DEFENSE / Official outlines office's role in drone, AI procurement

Taipei, Oct. 9 (CNA) The Defense Innovation Office (DIO) is working on logistics to integrate AI with military tasks as well as acquire drones and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), with a range of small procurement projects slated for next year, a defense official said Thursday.

The Ministry of National Defense unveiled the 2025 National Defense Report at a news conference Thursday, which included a section on the DIO, launched Feb. 1, 2024, 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 learning about the needs of different military units and the General Staff Headquarters before procurement programs are officially initiated.

Regarding AI applications, Shih said the office is conducting open solicitations to develop prototypes for three projects: 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, Shih said.

In addition, he said, small-batch purchases are planned for next year to procure items such as fiber-optic equipment, unmanned aerial systems, light weapons, C-UAS systems, and fire-control systems.

"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.

Also at the news conference, reporters 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.

In response, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Sun Li-fang (孫立方) said counter-UAS systems are evolving rapidly, and the ministry is working diligently to identify which new technologies and systems best meet the nation's needs.