Ministry denies report on likely cancellation of aircraft plan

ROC Central News Agency

2012/06/06 18:35:31

Taipei, June 6 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense denied Wednesday a local report that it will mull calling off plans to adopt Taiwan-made unmanned aerial vehicles due to problems stemming from testing operations.

The report in the Chinese-language Next Magazine "is not true," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry has acquired 32 unmanned aerial vehicles developed and manufactured by the Taoyuan-based Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the ministry's main research and development institute, the statement read.

The aircraft underwent thorough operational tests before being delivered to the Army, the ministry said, adding that the results of the tests were "good."

The ministry also explained the cause behind an unmanned aerial vehicle going missing off the eastern coast of Taiwan during a routine training mission in early March.

The investigation found the accident resulted from insufficient training of the personnel operating the vehicle, the ministry said, adding that the vehicle's control functions will be improved.

(By Elaine Hou)