MNA

Today, the Second Operational Zone, together with cross-regional reinforcement personnel from the Fourth and Fifth Operational Zones and the Marine Corps Command, mobilized multiple heavy engineering equipment units to Changqiao Village, Fenglin Township, Hualien County, continuing tasks such as road debris clearance, disinfection, and household environment cleanup. They are working at full capacity to remove mud and obstacles, assisting local authorities in restoring passage and basic living functions for residents. Executive Yuan Political Deputy Minister Chi Lien-cheng visited Mingli Village in Wanrong Township and Changqiao Village in Fenglin Township today to inspect disaster conditions, understand the current situation in affected areas, and provide guidance. In addition to consoling local disaster victims, Deputy Minister Chi also encouraged the service members assisting with residential cleanup, praising their hard work in disaster relief operations. The Second Operational Zone stated that units will continue to dispatch manpower and equipment according to the needs of local governments, fully executing post-disaster recovery tasks and assisting reconstruction efforts in the fastest and most effective manner, joining hands with local authorities and residents to overcome challenges and restore their beautiful homeland as quickly as possible.

To strengthen beach defense combat capabilities, the Marine Corps Command conducted the “Second Half of 2025 Operational Plan Live-Fire Exercise” yesterday (November 4). Based on enemy threat situations and possible enemy actions, the exercise validated command, control, and communications; fire coordination; target acquisition and transmission; integration of the ICS communication system; logistics and maintenance; and command staff procedures. It integrated six units, including the air defense and guard group, to jointly execute situation response and live-fire drills, demonstrating coordinated combat capabilities and assessing unit combat readiness training results. The exercise was divided into different operational phases: “routine crisis management,” “pre-combat deployment,” “joint counter-landing,” and “coastal and beach combat.” Live firing involved ten types of light and heavy weapons, including 105mm howitzers, 40mm grenade launchers, 20mm cannons, and T74 machine guns. Combined with surveillance drones, it completed target acquisition and live-fire procedures, enhancing personnel proficiency in live-fire operations and command-and-control effectiveness. Notably, this exercise incorporated the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), utilizing real-time imagery and frontline surveillance data return to integrate battlefield intelligence and share it across endpoints, creating a common operational picture and improving unit coordinated combat capabilities. This comprehensive combat exercise not only trained each unit’s response effectiveness when facing maritime landing threats but also strengthened commanders’ real-time adaptability, fire coordination, position transition, and joint defense sector integration capabilities, enhancing overall joint combat and rapid reaction capabilities to ensure the security of maritime domains in the face of various threats.

The ROC Armed Forces recently conducted the seven-day, six-night “Land Victory No. 1 Exercise” in the central region, which concluded successfully on October 31. The Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command served as the exercise control headquarters, integrating the 542nd Armored Brigade of the Sixth Army Corps and the 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Tenth Army Corps. The exercise was executed using real troops, real locations, and real equipment in offensive-defensive confrontation, with cross-regional maneuver exceeding 200 kilometers, validating brigade-level joint combat and command-and-control effectiveness. The exercise was based on defensive operations scenarios and adhered to the three major principles of “real troops and real equipment, free-play control, and phased management.” Through scenario induction, participating units were guided to complete subjects including attack, defense, meeting engagement, pursuit, and successive resistance, testing commanders at all levels in on-the-spot judgment and communications maintenance capabilities. The exercise integrated drones and the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), utilizing real-time imagery and surveillance information return to enhance battlefield awareness and command efficiency, achieving the objectives of “precise enemy situation awareness, rapid decision-making, and flexible troop employment.” This was the first time the Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command served as exercise control headquarters, responsible for planning, execution, and evaluation tasks from an objective and impartial standpoint, with exercise outcomes fed back into education, training, and doctrine revision. The drill incorporated real-world terrain and communications interference testing to hone units’ adaptability in complex situations. Personnel at all levels embodied the spirit of “training with the enemy in mind,” completing missions were accomplished under unscripted induction, strengthening defensive combat thinking. Due to the long-duration and long-distance nighttime maneuvers, the exercise posed significant mental and physical challenges to the personnel. Prior to the exercise, units conducted long-distance nighttime driving, equipment inspections, and on-site reconnaissance to familiarize personnel with terrain characteristics and civilian facility locations, facilitating subsequent tactical employment. During the exercise, civilian facilities supported field locations, and local residents enthusiastically assisted units with quartering and rest. They expressed that having the military train locally “brings the armed forces closer to the people.” Residents also stated that seeing tanks and service members operating in the community gave them a sense of the responsibility to defend the homeland and deepened public understanding of the hardships faced by military personnel. Following the conclusion of the exercise, the exercise control headquarters completed full-process evaluation and tactical review, compiling communications and operational data as a basis for future training improvements. The Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command stated that it will continue to refine education, training, and operational research based on these results to enhance overall unit combat effectiveness.

The Air Force Headquarters recently conducted the “2025 Annual Tactical Evaluation.” Through multiple tactical subject competitions, it assessed the annual combat readiness training results of each wing, stimulated unit honor and cohesion, and further strengthened Air Force combat power, demonstrating to the public the solid capability to defend Taiwan’s airspace. This year’s Tactical Evaluation included five tactical-level assessment subjects: “Air Defense Interception and AGTS Gunnery,” “Nighttime Potential Weapons Loading,” “Infrared Missile Firing,” “25-pound Practice Bomb Drop,” and “Military Police Small Arms Shooting Competition.” Each wing executed the subjects according to the scheduled timeline. Personnel from all units gave their utmost in the competition, displaying teamwork, showcasing the results of daily rigorous training, and earning honor for their units. Among these, the “Air Defense Interception and AGTS Gunnery” and “Tactical Intercept Control” subjects trained pilots to rapidly execute emergency scramble upon receiving orders, be guided by combat controllers to simulate beyond-visual-range missile attacks and target identification, and conduct AGTS (Aerial Gunnery Target System) cannon firing upon reaching firing position. Throughout the process, mission aircraft and air battle management personnel must closely coordinate via communications to successfully complete the interception mission. The “Infrared Missile Firing” subject tested pilots’ ability to judge combat situations, lock onto targets, and execute weapon release in the rapidly changing air combat environment. The “25-pound Practice Bomb Drop” trained pilots in fundamental skills including “pre-drop checks,” “tactical pull-up maneuvers,” and “bomb release accuracy.” In addition, the “Potential Weapons Loading Competition” simulated ground technical personnel rapidly performing weapon loading and inspection after an aircraft landed, completing combat power regeneration and replenishment in the shortest possible time to ensure sustained combat capability, demonstrating seamless coordination and tacit understanding between air and ground crews. The “2025 Annual Tactical Evaluation” is not only a microcosm of the Air Force’s yearly combat readiness achievements but also a concrete manifestation of the entire force’s dedication to combat training. From the precise control of pilots in the air to the rapid maintenance of ground technical personnel, every link embodies the firm determination and professional ability of Air Force personnel to defend the nation’s skies and ensure national security.

The Navy recently conducted its annual key training event, the “114-2 Sea Strong Exercise,” successfully completing multiple live-force validation subjects, including immediate combat readiness drills, defensive mine-laying, sea-air vigilance, joint sea-air anti-submarine warfare, joint interception, joint counter-blockade, and combat power regeneration, showcasing the results of personnel’s rigorous training and proficiency. The Navy Headquarters stated that participating personnel completed all tasks with a professional attitude and strict discipline, validating the Navy’s real-time response and sustained combat capabilities in a multi-threat environment. Prior to the exercise, each vessel had progressively established initial, intermediate, and advanced combat readiness levels in accordance with the training schedule. Through this Sea Strong live-force confrontation exercise, the intensive training assessment was completed, achieving the advanced combat readiness level for surface warfare flotillas. The Navy Headquarters emphasized that Navy personnel, upholding the “Anchor Chain Spirit,” continuously refine their combat skills, strengthen teamwork, and enhance overall combat power, implementing the goal of “achieving true peace through strength,” and demonstrating the firm determination to safeguard maritime lines of communication and maintain regional peace and stability.

Recovery efforts in Guangfu Township, Hualien, following the disaster continue to advance. Coinciding with the three-day National Day holiday, large numbers of volunteers from across the country poured into Guangfu Township to work shoulder-to-shoulder with ROC Armed Forces personnel on community cleanup and environmental disinfection, becoming the force helping this land stand tall once again and demonstrating the firm belief of military-civilian unity in rebuilding together. Today, marking the Double Tenth National Day, volunteers who rushed to Guangfu Township for disaster relief spontaneously waved national flags to jointly celebrate the occasion and extend sincere gratitude to the ROC Armed Forces personnel who have tirelessly devoted themselves to relief operations. The atmosphere at the scene was lively and heartwarming, with volunteers and service members encouraging one another, symbolizing the united strength of the entire nation in protecting the homeland together and filling post-disaster Guangfu Township with hope and emotion. In addition, to prepare for possible impacts from the northeast monsoon and Typhoons Halong and Nakri, ROC Armed Forces personnel assisted residents in stacking sandbags along the Lintian Main Road and clearing mud from surrounding homes, completing preventive measures ahead of time to ensure local safety.

Today, the Ministry of National Defense held a press conference to release the 2025 edition of the National Defense Report. Director HSU YUN-CHEN of the Defense Policy Division, Strategic Planning Department, delivered the briefing, taking “Agile and Resilient ROC Armed Forces, Firmly Defending the Nation” as the core theme to comprehensively elucidate to the people the current national security situation, national defense policy, and achievements in combat readiness administration, while conveying to the international community Taiwan’s firm determination to defend national sovereignty and maintain regional peace and stability. Director HSU stated that the compilation of this report is the 18th release since 1992, in accordance with Article 30 of the National Defense Act. The full report comprises over 78,000 words, supported by 66 photographs and 54 infographics, striving to demonstrate transparency in national defense affairs to the people and the international community through the most detailed content, concrete data, and specific items, thereby garnering public support and understanding for national defense. The cover of the 2025 National Defense Report features newly developed ROC Armed Forces weapons as the visual core, fully conveying the resolve and conviction of the report’s theme: “Agile and Resilient ROC Armed Forces, Firmly Defending the Nation.” The content is divided into four sections—“Strategic Environment,” “Solid National Defense,” “Foundation of Peace,” and “National Defense Management”—comprising eight chapters and 34 sections, encompassing the three major domains of military administration, military command, and armaments. The report emphasizes that the ROC Armed Forces, guided by the President’s national security concept of the “Four Pillars of Peace,” is constructing agile and responsive combat power while implementing societal defense resilience. In the “Strategic Environment” section, the report elucidates the international situation of U.S.-China strategic competition and the military threats and challenges posed to the Indo-Pacific region by the PRC’s expanding military power. In the “Solid National Defense” section, it explains how the ROC Armed Forces, based on the military strategy of “resolute defense and multi-layered deterrence,” adopts “multi-domain denial and resilient defense” as the direction for operational readiness, emphasizing asymmetric warfare and decentralized operations to build reliable defensive combat power. Furthermore, the “Foundation of Peace” section elaborates that Taiwan will continue to engage in national defense and security cooperation with the United States and other friendly and allied nations, establishing democratic partnerships to jointly address potential threats and becoming a reliable partner for security cooperation in the region. Finally, the “National Defense Management” section outlines the administration measures and achievements of the ROC Armed Forces in promoting defense self-reliance, reforming unit management, deepening national defense education, and improving personnel care. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that ROC Armed Forces personnel maintain round-the-clock combat readiness and duty, serving as the solid backbone of national security and a key pillar of social stability. Through the release of the National Defense Report, it is hoped to consolidate the national defense will of all citizens, strengthen public confidence in national defense, and collectively strive to defend the homeland.

This week, Defense Online will launch a series of reports on the “2025 Taipei International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition” and plan two episodes to present the latest weapon highlights in the “Defense Pavilion.” The first episode, “Building Resilient National Defense,” will lead viewers to preview the joint operations weapons and equipment exhibition area, experiencing the achievements of the ROC Armed Forces’ modernization efforts in military buildup. This year’s aerospace exhibition breaks new records in scale, with 490 exhibitors from 15 countries participating, creating an unprecedented spectacle. Among them, the “Defense Pavilion” takes “resilient national defense and strengthening national power” as its main theme, showcasing 51 items of self-developed and upgraded equipment by the ROC Armed Forces, fully presenting the results of defense self-reliance and becoming the focal point of the entire event. The program content will particularly introduce key equipment such as the Strongbow Missile System, 2.75-inch Rocket Vehicle-Mounted Turret, M1A2T Tank, Himars Multiple Launch Rocket System, and 105mm Wheeled Tank, and invite experts and senior foreign media reporters to share their tactical value, fully demonstrating the ROC Armed Forces’ overall combat power of “resolute defense and multi-layered deterrence.” In the face of rapidly changing security challenges, the ROC Armed Forces continues to integrate joint operations effectiveness, developing the “multi-domain denial and resilient defense” readiness direction to strengthen national power and resilient national defense, safeguarding national security and maintaining regional peace. The “2025 Taipei International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition – Building Resilient National Defense” will premiere on Thursday (December 2) at 2:00 PM on the Chinese Television System channel, with rebroadcasts on Friday at 2:00 PM and Saturday at 8:00 AM. The public is also welcome to watch on the “Military News Agency” website and YouTube channel to witness together the solid achievements of the ROC Armed Forces in military buildup and readiness.

Typhoon Ragasa caused severe damage in the Hualien area. President Lai Ching-te commended the ROC Armed Forces for their full commitment to disaster relief and reconstruction in the affected areas. To further accelerate recovery progress, the Ministry of National Defense continues to dispatch additional troops for cross-regional reinforcement, ensuring sufficient manpower and material resources in the disaster zones to address subsequent cleanup and rebuilding efforts. After a comprehensive assessment of recovery progress in the disaster areas and in accordance with President Lai’s policy directive of “every second counts” in disaster relief operations, the Ministry of National Defense will deploy additional troops from the Second and Fourth Operational Zones tomorrow (November 26), providing approximately 2,000 personnel equipped with relevant machinery. In coordination with local government needs, these forces will work day and night in shifts on tasks including material transport, road debris clearance, and urban area restoration, maintaining uninterrupted disaster relief operations. Furthermore, under authorization from the President and with the consensus of township or village leaders as well as the accompaniment of homeowners, service members may enter residences to assist in removing large furniture or clearing mud, taking the most practical actions to help citizens rebuild their homes as quickly as possible.

The “Sancha Mountain Incident” occurred just as World War II had ended and peace was beginning to dawn. On September 10, 1945, a U.S. military bomber named Liquidator, carrying released Allied prisoners of war of American, Australian, and Dutch nationalities back to their home countries, crashed on Sancha Mountain—at an elevation exceeding 3,000 meters—at the southern end of the Central Mountain Range under the assault of Typhoon Ursula in the Western Pacific. All 25 persons on board perished. Upon receiving the news, local communities in Taitung, undeterred by the high mountains, treacherous paths, and severe weather, immediately formed multiple search and rescue teams to rush into the mountains for relief efforts. However, the subsequent Typhoon Jean, bringing fierce winds and torrential rain, ultimately claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including Japanese military police, civilian police, and members of the Amis, Bunun, Pinuyumayan, Siraya, Hoklo, and Hakka communities. This humanitarian rescue operation—intertwined with typhoons, an air crash, and a mountain disaster, transcending nationality and ethnicity—has since been known as the “Sancha Mountain Incident.” Its brilliance of humanity and sacrifice has never faded. To honor the souls of the 25 young warriors from distant lands who fought in the war and the 26 brave individuals who perished during the rescue, and to preserve this precious memory, the government formed a task team at the end of June this year. The team trekked through mountains and rivers to return to Sancha Mountain, conducting a four-day, three-night spirit-consolation mission. At the summit, team members held a solemn prayer ceremony, offered flowers and wine, and built a stone cairn to pray for the deceased, paying the highest tribute to the victims with reverent actions, symbolizing the nation and its people’s eternal remembrance of history. During the mission, the task team ventured into rarely accessed forest zones to survey the crash site, diligently searching for aircraft wreckage and relics from 80 years ago. On September 8, a CH-47 helicopter from Army Aviation landed near Jiaming Lake, retrieving the remains of four machine guns, which were transported back and placed in temporary storage. These will subsequently be systematically catalogued, preserved, and studied by a military museum, with the aim of establishing a complete historical archive and planning an exhibition to ensure this story of humanitarian rescue endures for generations. The Sancha Mountain Incident highlights the humanitarian spirit of rushing to aid others without regard for borders or ethnic identity under extreme weather and harsh terrain. It is not merely local history but a manifestation of universal human values. As democratic societies worldwide reflect on the historical lesson of World War II—“unity ensures victory, aggression ensures defeat”—Sancha Mountain should not remain merely a site of tragedy but an eternal monument, reminding humanity that only through unity can freedom, democracy, and regional security be safeguarded, laying the foundation for everlasting and genuine peace.