Taiwan's lawmakers question military readiness as legislature reviews tech-driven defense shift

Taiwan’s Legislature on April 27 examined the military’s transition toward technology-driven warfare, as lawmakers questioned the Ministry of National Defense (MND) over its efforts to integrate emerging technologies into the country's asymmetric defense strategy.

During a session of the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee, the MND presented a report on how its Defense Innovation Office (DIO) is applying new technologies to modern combat. 

The ministry said recent conflicts have shifted away from traditional large-scale engagements toward low-cost, high-efficiency confrontations driven by emerging technologies. Unmanned systems and AI, it noted, are now at the core of battlefield operations. 

To adapt, the MND established the DIO to accelerate the conversion of mature civilian technologies into military use through mechanisms such as open prototype development, limited procurement for validation, and collaboration with research institutions.

Officials outlined a broad push across multiple areas. The military is developing an integrated intelligence system that combines data fusion and AI-assisted analysis to improve early warning and threat assessment. 

It is also moving forward with large-scale drone deployment, backed by a special budget to acquire more than 210,000 units, including anti-armor, surveillance, and attack models. 

The MND report stated that the plans also introduce highly mobile, modular ground-based unmanned platforms — such as quadruped robots and logistics vehicles — for reconnaissance, combat, and resupply missions in both urban and deep operational environments.

At sea, the military is preparing to deploy small suicide drones and underwater unmanned systems for mine clearance, aiming to strengthen coastal defense and counter-landing capabilities. 

It is also testing unmanned vessels for rapid resupply to offshore islands to improve operational endurance. To counter enemy drones, the MND is developing both “soft-kill” and “hard-kill” measures, including electromagnetic jamming systems, automated air-defense gun platforms, and technologies capable of detecting and disrupting control signals at their source. 

At the same time, the ministry is promoting smart logistics systems to improve readiness through advanced warehousing and supply chain management, while building redundant communications networks to ensure uninterrupted command and control during combat. AI-driven cybersecurity measures are also being introduced to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, according to the MND’s report.

Talent issues

Retired ROC Navy Admiral and Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Chen Yeong-kang (陳永康) said the DIO must treat human capital as a core priority, not just hardware and software investment. 

He noted that improper use of AI tools could risk sensitive data leaking to overseas cloud systems and called for new training in AI, unmanned systems, and command integration to be incorporated into military education. 

Referring to the concept of a “Taiwan Shield,” Chen emphasized the need to integrate air defense, C5ISR systems, intelligence fusion, multi-target tracking, and AI-assisted decision-making, while ensuring sufficient funding to train mid-level technical and systems engineering personnel.

MND officials responded that the DIO includes civilian staff, military personnel, and contracted specialists, and works with research bodies such as the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and the Industrial Technology Research Institute to track global technological developments.

Integration and safety

KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) questioned whether Taiwan’s acquisition system can keep pace with rapid technological change, warning that investing heavily in technologies that have not been fully validated could create risks for flight safety and long-term maintenance. 

She cited the ROC Air Force’s initial adoption of AI-assisted systems, saying early versions showed limited recognition capability and faced resistance from frontline personnel. Ma urged the ministry to clarify how such systems are tested, adjusted, and deployed, stressing that AI should remain subordinate to human judgment, particularly in safety-critical contexts.

The MND replied that some media reports were based on outdated early-stage data and no longer reflect current conditions. 

Ma also raised broader concerns about procurement timelines, noting that equipment ordered today may not be delivered for eight to ten years, by which time battlefield conditions and technologies may have changed significantly. 

She argued that defense spending should focus on capabilities that can deliver immediate combat effectiveness and should be better coordinated with economic and science agencies, rather than placing the burden of high-risk research solely on the defense budget.

Coordination between military and civilian agencies

Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) noted that agencies such as the coast guard, police, civil aviation authorities, and high-speed rail operators are all developing their own counter-drone capabilities, warning that a lack of integration could lead to risks in identification, reporting, and signal interference. 

Defense officials said all such systems would be incorporated into a unified command-and-control framework, with civilian systems integrated through support from the NCSIST and regional coordination mechanisms.

Fellow DPP legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) called on the ministry to address criticism over drone procurement, particularly claims that some models have not been fully tested in the Ukraine war. 

He argued that the effectiveness of drones depends less on hardware specifications than on the ability to rapidly update software, algorithms, and communication modules. 

The MND said procurement contracts would include lifecycle maintenance and upgrade provisions to ensure systems remain adaptable and do not quickly become obsolete. 

Chen also criticized the DIO for lacking a dedicated public platform to engage with industry, saying this limits participation from startups and non-traditional defense contractors. 

He urged the ministry to adopt a more transparent model similar to the US Defense Innovation Unit. 

The MND replied that the DIO currently connects with industry through the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Industrial Technology Research Institute and is considering establishing a presence at an aerospace park in Chiayi to strengthen ties with industry clusters.

M109A7 issue

Separately, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator Wang An-hsiang (王安祥) questioned the planned procurement of M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, asking whether recent adjustments in US acquisition plans would affect Taiwan. 

The MND said the US military is not phasing out the system but does not intend to expand procurement, instead pursuing next-generation artillery.