📋 Tender Overview
In response to the erroneous external reports of the Ministry of National Defenses UAV/UAV defense system procurement case, the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated today (17th) that it is necessary for the country to develop a UAV strategy from a security perspective. If domestic industry players can make their own, in addition to industrial development, it is also a part of security resilience. After selection by a selection steering group jointly established by the three ministries, 9 manufacturers of qualified military commercial drones and 4 manufacturers of drone defense systems were selected and recommended to the Ministry of National Defense for reference. Subsequent vendor selections were also conducted in accordance with the law and based on the needs of the national military, without any private involvement. There is no need for political attacks and defenses to cause a chilling effect on domestic businesses and harm Taiwans security and industry.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that due to the governments proactive layout, the export value of Taiwans drone industry has grown rapidly from US$4.41 million in 2024 to US$212 million in the first half of 2026. The nearly 100-fold increase is due to the joint efforts of industry, government, academia and research. It is hoped that the outside world will not harm the development of the industry with political rhetoric.
In 2022, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced the Application Instructions for the Key Points for Selection of Leading Vendors for UAV Defense System Integration. The National Science Council, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly established the Military Commercial UAV and UAV Defense System Selection Operation Steering Group and converted combat performance requirements into product specifications. This team conducts an inventory of industrial capabilities based on the needs of the Ministry of National Defense, identifies domestic players with relevant technologies and system integration capabilities, and handles the selection of leading manufacturers for UAV defense system integration. The application deadline for Leading Manufacturers of Drone Defense System Integration was January 19, 2023, and a total of 7 companies submitted application proposals. The Ministry of Economic Affairs completed the selection process in March 2023, and four companies including Future Innovation Technology were selected as the leading manufacturers of related systems, and the selection results will be provided to the Ministry of National Defense as a reference for subsequent promotion of related plans.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the four vendors recommended for selection at that time were selected through a fair, impartial and open selection process, and there was no recommendation based on selfishness or personal relationships. It also provided the Ministry of National Defenses list of vendors as a reference for commissioned research, system test verification and evaluation operations. The vendors must still pass verification and acceptance by the Ministry of National Defense before entering the procurement process. This part is led and promoted by the Ministry of National Defense, and this Ministry respects the authority and responsibilities of the Ministry.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that the drone industry has been one of the fastest-exploding industries in Taiwan in recent years. Domestic players can seize business opportunities and actively enter overseas markets. Stable domestic orders and manufacturing energy are indispensable and require support from all walks of life. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will continue to cooperate with the policies of the Executive Yuan to help promote the development of the drone and countermeasure system industry and strengthen the domestic supply chain energy and industrial competitiveness.
Spokesperson: Deputy Director of Industrial Development Department Zou Yuxin
Contact number: 02-27541255 extension 2902, 0910-316969
Email: ystzou3@ida.gov.tw
Business Contact Person of Industrial Development Department: Zhang Shangjun, Team Leader of Metal Mechanical and Electrical Industry Group
Contact number: 02-27541255 extension 2101
Email: sjchang7@ida.gov.tw
