Minister Koo Attends Legislative Yuan Session and Explains MQ-9B UAV Delivery and Related Issues

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.03.10

Issuing Authority：Administration Office

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung gave remarks to the media before attending a legislative interpellation session at the Legislative Yuan today. He addressed issues including the delivery progress of the MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles, the status of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and recent activities of PRC military aircraft.

Regarding public concern over the delivery progress of the MQ-9B UAVs, Minister Koo stated that all related procedures had proceeded according to plan. The delivery schedule had remained normal with no delays, and it had not been affected by international developments such as the conflict between the United States and Iran.

Regarding the progress of the LOA for the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, Minister Koo noted that the Ministry of National Defense had received the LOA on March 6 and was required to complete the signing process before March 26 in accordance with established procedures. Four of the five LOAs had already been received. The Ministry hoped to obtain authorization as soon as possible to complete the signing and initiate the relevant operational schedule earlier, which would benefit overall force development planning, while further delays could potentially create impacts.

In response to questions about whether the conflict between the United States and Iran had affected the deployment of Taiwan’s weapons and equipment, Minister Koo explained that weapons systems procured from the United States were generally returned to the United States for other uses once they reached their scheduled retirement period if the United States had relevant requirements, and transportation had been handled by the U.S. side. At present, Taiwan had not received any request related to the U.S.-Iran conflict requiring the redeployment of such equipment.

Regarding recent activities of PRC military aircraft, Minister Koo emphasized that the PRC’s intention to annex Taiwan by force had always existed and should not have been assessed solely based on whether PRC aircraft appeared in the airspace. PRC naval vessels had continued operating in waters surrounding Taiwan, maintaining a daily presence of at least five vessels. Efforts aimed at turning the Taiwan Strait into “internal waters” through legal warfare had not ceased, and the ROC Armed Forces would continue to closely monitor developments in the surrounding situation.

Regarding issues related to business charter flights at Songshan Airport, Minister Koo stated that Songshan Airport functioned as a joint civil-military airport. Civil aviation flight operations and related management had been regulated by the Civil Aviation Administration. The ROC Armed Forces and the Civil Aviation Administration had long maintained an agreement allowing both sides to use each other’s aprons based on operational needs. After civil aircraft used the apron of the Air Force Songshan Base Command, takeoff, landing, and operational control had continued to be managed by the Civil Aviation Administration.