MNA

President Lai Ching-te today inspected the New Taipei City 2026 Urban Resilience (All-out Defense Mobilization) Exercise. Exercise events included operations at the Joint Emergency Operations Center (JEOC), medical load reduction and underground relocation at Shuang Ho Hospital, and the distribution and sale of essential supplies. The President expressed hope that cooperation between the central and local governments and collaboration between the public and private sectors would continue strengthening societal resilience, enabling the government to remain operational and minimizing disruption to people’s lives during emergencies. In his remarks, President Lai noted that Taiwan experiences typhoons every year and may also be struck by earthquakes every few years. In addition to building up the Armed Forces, preparing for war, and safeguarding national security, the Armed Forces has long participated in disaster relief and helped maintain social stability. The Armed Forces regard disaster response as an integral part of force development and combat readiness. Local governments also conduct annual societal resilience exercises in preparation for typhoons, earthquakes, and other disasters. These exercises were formerly known as Wan An and Min An Exercises. President Lai said that after taking office, he established the “Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee” under the Presidential Office to advance societal resilience. He also combined the Wan An and Min An Exercises conducted by local governments into the Urban Resilience Exercise. This year, the exercise was extended from one day to two and conducted in coordination with the Armed Forces’ annual Han Kuang Exercise. Under a common scenario, the Armed Forces conduct military exercises as the first line of defense while local governments carry out whole-of-society defense resilience exercises. The objective is for the Armed Forces to safeguard national security while local governments and civil society organizations work together to maintain social stability, minimizing the impact on society in the event of either natural disasters or geopolitical conflicts. The President said he had specifically chosen to inspect the whole-of-society defense resilience exercise in New Taipei City this year. His first stop was the Joint Emergency Operations Center, followed by an inspection of emergency medical preparedness and then a distribution point for essential supplies. He thanked Mayor Hou Yu-ih and the city government team for their thorough preparations, noting that cooperation between the central and local governments had proven highly effective. President Lai noted that the distribution system he inspected earlier included both government-operated distribution points and participating private retailers, creating a dual-track arrangement. A smart information system has also been established, and exercises continue to address a variety of potential scenarios. He described these achievements as highly commendable. The President said that through collective efforts, central-local cooperation, and public-private collaboration, Taiwan can continue strengthening its societal resilience. When an emergency occurs, greater resilience will enable the government to maintain its operations while reducing the impact on people’s daily lives. President Lai also referred to the air defense exercise conducted today from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. In cities where the exercise was conducted, mobile communications were affected and data speeds were reduced during the exercise, while travel and movement were also somewhat disrupted. He asked the public for its understanding and support, emphasizing that the exercise was necessary. “Every exercise makes us more resilient. Greater resilience brings greater stability when an emergency occurs and reduces the impact on our lives,” the President said. President Lai thanked the National Security Council and the ministries and agencies of the Executive Yuan for their efforts. He also noted that representatives of foreign missions in Taiwan had participated in the exercise and offered their observations, demonstrating the international community’s strong interest in Taiwan’s security and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. “The virtuous are never alone; they always have neighbors,” the President said. In the face of shifting regional geopolitics, Taiwan is not confronting these challenges alone, but alongside an international community that shares its concerns. Nevertheless, Taiwan must not neglect its own preparations or simply rely on others. Citing Mayor Hou’s remarks, President Lai said, “We need not fear a century without incident, but we must fear even one day without preparation.” By embracing this principle and preparing thoroughly, Taiwan will be ready for any eventuality. The more comprehensive its preparations, the better positioned it will be to prevent crises from occurring. Also attending the exercise were New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih , who also served as Commander of the New Taipei City Joint Emergency Operations Center; National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; National Security Council Advisor Liu Te-chin; Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan; Minister without Portfolio Chi Lien-cheng; Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang; Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang; Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lai Chien-hsin; Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan; All-out Defense Mobilization Agency Director-General Lieutenant General Liao Chien-hsing; American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene; Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Marie-Louise Hannan; Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Representative Israel Strulov; and representatives of other foreign missions in Taiwan.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung visited units participating in the field-training phase of the “Han Kuang 42 Exercise” in Taoyuan today. He reviewed the tactical employment of drones for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, intelligence transmission, and strikes, as well as the use of 3D-printing technology for “battlefield additive manufacturing ” of drone components. He also thanked participating service members for their tireless efforts. Accompanied by Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, Vice Chief of the General Staff (Executive) General Huang Chih-wei, and other officials, Minister Koo first received battlefield briefings from the operational sector command and drone units. He then observed personnel operating various types of drones to conduct battlefield surveillance, reconnaissance, and strikes. He also discussed plans for wartime defense in depth, successive resistance operations, and wartime transportation control with senior officers. Minister Koo later visited a drone unit’s tactical position, where he inspected its 3D-printing equipment and reviewed its processes and capacity for “battlefield additive manufacturing ”. Minister Koo said drone operations require the integrated planning of surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence transmission, command and control, and strike capabilities according to the operational environment and mission requirements. These capabilities must be closely aligned with operational concepts, while different types of weapons and equipment should be employed flexibly to enhance battlefield awareness, real-time response, and precision-strike capabilities, thereby maximizing overall operational effectiveness. Relevant units should develop capabilities for battlefield additive manufacturing , rapid repair, and resupply. Technologies such as 3D printing can support a distributed, rapid, and sustainable maintenance and replenishment mechanism. These capabilities should also be repeatedly validated through exercises to strengthen operational resilience and sustainability . Later, Minister Koo visited an Air Force unit to review its operational capabilities, force deployment, protective force disposition, and defensive area of responsibility. He provided guidance on the employment of combat power and firepower, the maintenance of command-and-control links, and protection of defensive positions. These efforts are intended to strengthen units’ mobile deployment, backup capabilities , and sustained operational capabilities in response to enemy threats and changing battlefield conditions, ensuring the effective execution of all operational missions.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung appeared before the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee this morning to deliver a special report and answer legislators’ questions. Speaking to the media beforehand, Minister Koo said training is the foundation of combat power. The Armed Forces will make comprehensive preparations and continue training rigorously and consistently to strengthen force development and combat readiness. He also expressed hope for greater public support. Asked about the focus of the field-training phase of the “Han Kuang 42 Exercise” and Taiwan-U.S. cooperation, Minister Koo described the field exercise as the culminating validation of the Han Kuang exercise series. Beginning with computer-assisted war games, namely command-post exercises, and progressing through the Rapid Response Exercise, the Joint Defense Exercise, and the Han Kuang field exercise, each stage employs realistic, scenario-driven but unscripted training. Continuous scenario injects require units to respond as events unfold, testing commanders’ judgment and the orders they issue. Regarding Taiwan-U.S. military exchanges, Minister Koo said the Ministry draws on the U.S. military’s experience in realistic training to enhance the Armed Forces’ operational capabilities. Cooperation with friendly partners also strengthens Taiwan’s overall force-development and combat-readiness efforts. Asked about the 2027 defense budget and new unmanned ground systems, Minister Koo replied that the Ministry formulates its budget in consideration of enemy threats, defensive operational requirements, and the government’s overall fiscal capacity. Defense spending will target 3% of GDP, with the Executive Yuan to make a coordinated announcement at a later date. Responding to reports that China was harassing Taiwan’s surrounding waters and airspace under the pretext of “joint combat-readiness patrols” as the Han Kuang Exercise began, Minister Koo said the Ministry has contingency plans in place for continued PLA activities around the Taiwan Strait during the exercise. Such activities will not interrupt the exercise, and all training events will proceed as planned. Asked about Japan’s recently released defense white paper, Minister Koo said the report describes the threat from China as “an unprecedentedly significant strategic challenge” to Japan and a matter of serious concern. Peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific are of vital importance. The Ministry will continue working with friendly partners to strengthen intelligence exchanges and collective deterrence. Taiwan will also increase its defense budget and fulfill its responsibility to defend the country.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung said in a recent media interview that, in the face of China’s escalating military threats, Taiwan will strengthen its self-defense capabilities while deepening security cooperation with like-minded countries to create collective deterrence. The Ministry of National Defense is also advancing programs for the domestic production of unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities, and the “Taiwan Dome,” using layered defense and intelligence fusion to enhance Taiwan’s overall defense capabilities. Minister Koo recently sat down for interviews with the Central News Agency and other media outlets, accompanied by Vice Chief of the General Staff (Executive) General Huang Chih-wei, Director-General of the Department of Strategic Planning Lieutenant General Huang Wen-chi, and Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Operations and Planning Lieutenant General Hou Chia-lun. During the interviews, he responded to questions on regional security, security cooperation, defense self-reliance, and unmanned systems. Addressing security in the Indo-Pacific, Minister Koo said countries should increase defense spending, strengthen their self-defense capabilities, expand training, and bolster their military capabilities. Together, these efforts can create collective deterrence against any attempt to unilaterally alter peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion, requiring China to consider the potential responses of both Taiwan’s Armed Forces and other countries in the region before taking such action. Minister Koo noted that the waters east of Taiwan are also vital sea lines of communication for Japan and South Korea. Should the regional security environment undergo a major change, Taiwan would not be the only country required to confront and address the consequences. Regarding Japan’s concept of a “survival-threatening situation,” Minister Koo said Japan is itself facing pressure from Chinese gray-zone activities and joint Chinese-Russian patrols. If Japan determines that circumstances have reached the threshold of a survival-threatening situation, whether it exercises its right of self-defense is a decision for the Japanese government to make based on its own assessment. Turning to Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, Minister Koo stressed that cooperation extends far beyond the arms sales visible to the public and encompasses a broad range of areas. Personnel seen participating in exchanges during exercises and training activities represent only a small part of the overall relationship. The Armed Forces will continue drawing lessons from the operational experience of friendly partners and adapting them to Taiwan’s defense requirements, the threats it faces, and PLA tactics and methods. These lessons will inform adjustments to Taiwan’s own tactics, techniques, exercises, and training to enhance its defensive capabilities. On defense self-reliance, Minister Koo said Taiwan possesses highly flexible manufacturing capabilities. Going forward, Taiwan will integrate expertise from various countries in defense industries and emerging technologies while excluding supply chains that pose security concerns, including Chinese flight-control systems and communications modules. To this end, the Ministry has proposed a NT$210 billion special budget for unmanned systems, focusing on coastal surveillance and reconnaissance drones, coastal attack drones, and small one-way attack unmanned surface vessels. Through sustained, large-scale demand from the Armed Forces, the Ministry hopes to encourage domestic manufacturers to invest and establish a comprehensive production chain at scale that is free from China-linked supply chains. On counter-drone capabilities, Minister Koo noted that a wide range of soft-kill and hard-kill options are available, including electronic jamming, lasers, high-power microwave systems, automated gun turrets, and various interceptors. The Armed Forces will deploy appropriate countermeasures based on unit echelon, threat type, and cost-effectiveness. Technologies that have reached sufficient maturity will be advanced through formal acquisition programs or small-batch procurement, while the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) will continue related research and development. Counter-drone capabilities must also be integrated into the broader air-defense and fire-coordination architecture so that the most efficient countermeasure can be assigned according to the nature of each threat. Asked about progress on the “Strong Bow” missile and the “Taiwan Dome,” Minister Koo said the Strong Bow missile has completed testing and evaluation and will be included in the relevant budget. The Taiwan Dome, meanwhile, is intended to establish a layered defense encompassing capabilities against ballistic missiles, combat aircraft, long-range fires, and unmanned systems. The Armed Forces will integrate U.S.-made and domestically developed systems, enhance the capabilities of various sensors, and fuse the intelligence and data they provide. The most appropriate effector can then be assigned according to the nature of the threat, improving the efficiency of fires across the overall air-defense architecture. Asked about weapons and equipment acquisition, Minister Koo said future procurement will emphasize mobility, survivability, and operational flexibility, while also reducing the identifiability of military assets and employing a diverse range of platforms to perform missions. Director-General of the Department of Strategic Planning Lieutenant General Huang Wen-chi added that the Armed Forces have moved away from the former mindset of simply “buying what is available.” Systems and platforms are now evaluated according to their suitability for the defense of Taiwan and Penghu, with dual-use, military, and civilian platforms all considered in force-development planning. Regarding legislative review of the special budget for unmanned systems, Minister Koo said the Ministry of National Defense continues to hope that the Executive Yuan’s NT$210 billion proposal will be approved and will maintain dialogue with the Legislative Yuan. If the Executive Yuan’s version does not pass, the relevant programs would have to return to the annual budget process. However, he cautioned against placing all categories of unmanned systems, including aerial, surface, ground, and underwater platforms, along with testing facilities and industrial development expenditures, under a single NT$40 billion annual ceiling, as doing so could constrain future capability development and force-development flexibility. Minister Koo added that, beyond the unmanned systems and Strong Bow missile programs already discussed, the Ministry is continuing to advance programs involving Rui Yuan UAVs, counter-drone systems, ammunition production, and Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) capabilities. A supplementary budget is also being prepared. The Ministry will continue proposing the defense funding required under its joint operations plans, capability-development priorities, and actual operational requirements to strengthen Taiwan’s indigenous defense industry and overall defense capabilities.

The Ministry of National Defense held its fourth preparatory meeting for the Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) external expert assessment today at Bo’ai Camp. Chaired by Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, the meeting brought together leading domestic experts in government ethics and integrity. Through external assessment and internal-external collaboration, the Ministry hopes to gather a broad range of recommendations, enhance transparency and accountability in defense governance, and align its practices with current international trends in integrity and good governance. Vice Minister Hsu explained that the GDI comprehensively assesses countries across five risk areas: political affairs, finance, personnel, military operations, and procurement. It is also an important performance indicator under the Executive Yuan’s “National Integrity Building Action Plan.” Taiwan has participated in three previous GDI assessments and received a B rating, indicating a low risk of corruption, on each occasion. In the most recent assessment, New Zealand was the only one of the 86 countries evaluated to receive an A rating, while Taiwan was the only Asian country to rank among the top 10. These results demonstrate the resilience of Taiwan’s defense institutions and their ability to support the development of a robust and credible deterrent force. Integrity is a vital foundation of national defense, Vice Minister Hsu emphasized. In recent years, Taiwan has steadily advanced defense investment, indigenous defense capabilities, and related reforms. The Ministry has also continued promoting integrity education throughout the Armed Forces, strengthening internal and external controls, and improving integrity governance. Participation in the global GDI assessment allows the Armed Forces, through the collective efforts of government agencies, scholars, experts, and nongovernmental organizations, to demonstrate a law-abiding, pragmatic, and integrity-driven military culture. This further strengthens public confidence in force development, combat readiness, major exercises, and disaster prevention and relief preparations. Vice Minister Hsu also noted that “gender equality” would be introduced as a new topic in the forthcoming GDI assessment. The Ministry has progressively increased the number of women serving as volunteer personnel, continued advancing gender mainstreaming and equality, and worked to create a respectful and inclusive workplace. In closing, Vice Minister Hsu stressed that Taiwan’s strong GDI results had not been achieved overnight. They reflected the combined efforts of government officials, scholars, experts, and every member of the Armed Forces. Their dedication continues to drive the Ministry’s progress. He invited the external scholars and experts attending the meeting to work with the Ministry during the ensuing discussions to further improve its systems and ensure that unlawful conduct, opportunistic wrongdoing, infiltration, and sabotage have no place to hide.

The Legislative Yuan’s Economics, Foreign Affairs and National Defense, and Finance Committees today held the second joint meeting of the fifth session of the 11th Legislative Yuan to review draft versions of the Special Act for the Procurement of Domestically Developed Unmanned Vehicles for National Defense proposed by the Executive Yuan and various legislative caucuses. With the exception of Proposal No. 13, which will undergo further review at a later date, the proposals were referred for cross-party negotiations before being submitted to the legislative plenary for deliberation. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung said that a special act must have a clearly defined purpose and specific procurement targets. The Executive Yuan’s version focuses on coastal reconnaissance drones, coastal attack drones, and small one-way attack unmanned surface vessels. These systems would be acquired through a special budget to meet operational requirements for the defense of the Taiwan Strait and strengthen overall defense resilience. Minister Koo explained that unmanned systems encompass a wide range of aerial, ground, surface, and underwater platforms. Including within a single act the specific systems currently planned for procurement, other platforms that may be developed in the future, indigenous production, and overseas procurement would leave the procurement targets insufficiently defined. Defense procurement should be conducted by the Ministry of National Defense based on its professional assessments and operational requirements, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs should guide industrial development. Although the two functions do not conflict, they should not be conflated. Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-tsang agreed that his Ministry could not decide which platforms the Ministry of National Defense should procure. Designating the Ministry of National Defense as the competent authority would provide a clearer division of responsibilities. Regarding procurement methods, Minister Koo explained that the Executive Yuan’s bill primarily covers the acquisition of Category I and Category II drones. The Ministry has completed assessments of domestic production capacity and market conditions. Subsequent procurement will use open tendering with multiple awards, allowing qualified domestic manufacturers to participate. If the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has systems that meet the Ministry’s operational requirements, they will be acquired separately through commissioned production. Procurement programs will also require contractors to continually improve the performance of flight-control software, communications modules, and other components. Long-term orders will help drive iterative innovation throughout Taiwan’s domestic industry. Regarding funding, Deputy Minister Ho said the Executive Yuan’s version sets a ceiling of NT$210 billion and provides funding through a special budget. As the budget would not be subject to the restrictions under Article 23 of the Budget Act, it could provide a stable, long-term source of funding. This approach would reduce procurement uncertainty arising from competition with other budgetary requirements, funding cuts, or delays in the review process, thereby increasing manufacturers’ willingness to invest. Minister Koo cautioned that bringing all unmanned systems under the legislation and requiring the central government to allocate a fixed amount in its annual budget could create discrepancies between actual requirements and the statutory funding level. It could also raise questions about how the Legislative Yuan would subsequently review the funding. The Executive Yuan’s version specifies three types of unmanned systems, but this does not mean that they represent the Ministry’s only requirements, Minister Koo emphasized. Other large and medium-to-large drones, unmanned ground vehicles, and unmanned underwater vehicles that may be procured once the necessary technologies mature will still undergo project planning based on operational requirements. Funding will then be included separately in annual budgets or other procurement programs. Citing the delivery of MQ-9B unmanned aircraft as an example, Minister Koo said the relevant funding is provided through the annual budget. Different types of unmanned systems serving different purposes should therefore be funded through mechanisms appropriate to their specific operational requirements. Addressing domestic-content requirements proposed in some versions of the bill, Deputy Minister Ho said that unmanned systems vary considerably. The feasibility of domestic production for each platform is also affected by uncertainties such as the pace of technological development and changes in market conditions. Writing a uniform domestic-content percentage into law could therefore create difficulties during implementation and subsequent procurement. Minister Koo added that military unmanned systems procured from overseas could not readily comply with a fixed domestic-content requirement. The Ministry’s procurement of unmanned systems must remain based on military specifications that meet operational requirements. Existing industry support mechanisms and related programs already cover research and development subsidies, investment tax credits, talent development, testing and certification, and supply chain integration. Some legislative proposals also addressed testing sites, production bases, readiness stockpiles, and deployment arrangements. Minister Koo explained that testing sites involve the respective responsibilities of the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and local governments and should therefore be coordinated at the Executive Yuan level. Military exercise areas or restricted military zones should not be directly designated by law as testing sites. Similarly, the quantities of unmanned systems held in readiness and their deployment locations should be determined by the Ministry of National Defense according to operational requirements and professional planning. Publicly stipulating such information in legislation could create national security concerns. The Ministry hopes that the Legislative Yuan will support the Executive Yuan’s version, which clearly defines the procurement targets, competent authorities, and source of funding, allowing resources to be concentrated on acquiring priority equipment.

President Lai Ching-te today visited the Aeronautical Systems Research Division of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). He said that China has intensified its political and military intimidation of Taiwan, united-front infiltration within the country, and transnational repression in recent years. Taiwan must answer the international call for collective defense and burden-sharing. Describing drones as a representative weapon of asymmetric warfare, President Lai called on the Legislative Yuan to support the special defense budget and the development of a national drone offensive and defensive system. This would allow the relevant programs to be rapidly put in place, safeguarding national security and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Accompanied by National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, NCSIST President Li Shih-chiang, and Aeronautical Systems Research Division General Director Chiou Chu-hsiang, President Lai inspected the progress of NCSIST’s drone development program this morning. He also received briefings on its anti-radiation unmanned attack system and various types of NCSIST-developed drones. In his remarks, President Lai reiterated that China has increasingly subjected Taiwan to political and military intimidation, united-front infiltration, and transnational repression. To demonstrate Taiwan’s resolve to defend the nation, preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait, and maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan must respond to the international call for collective defense and burden-sharing. President Lai said that the Ministry of National Defense had previously proposed an eight-year special budget totaling NT$1.25 trillion for legislative review. However, the Legislative Yuan approved only NT$780 billion, cutting NT$470 billion. The approved funding was insufficient even to cover arms procurement from the United States. The NT$470 billion cut from the proposal had been intended for international cooperation, commissioned projects, indigenous research and development, and the advancement of the defense industry. Most importantly, the entire budget for drone-related programs was removed. President Lai noted that the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran had demonstrated the critical importance of drones on the battlefield. Drones could be considered the quintessential weapon of asymmetric warfare. The Executive Yuan had therefore not abandoned the initiative. President Lai thanked Minister Koo and his colleagues for proposing another special act on drones, with total funding of NT$210 billion. A further NT$200 billion to NT$300 billion would be allocated through a supplementary budget and next year’s budget to restore the NT$470 billion previously removed by the legislature. Regrettably, the opposition parties had still not supported drone development. Moreover, some drone legislation proposed by opposition parties would place the Ministry of Economic Affairs, rather than the Ministry of National Defense, in charge. Citing Minister Koo’s remarks during legislative questioning, President Lai said, “The money for rice cannot be confused with the money for soy sauce.” He explained that the proposed funding was intended to procure the military drones required by the Ministry of National Defense. If the drone industry development legislation proposed by legislators were administered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, its funding could be used only for commercial and civilian applications and would not meet Taiwan’s force development requirements. President Lai emphasized that the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Economic Affairs have different mandates and responsibilities. The Ministry of Economic Affairs is responsible for supporting industry by building the supply chain and helping manufacturers produce the drones required by the Ministry of National Defense. Furthermore, the Executive Yuan has already provided the Ministry of Economic Affairs with NT$44.2 billion under a six-year program to establish this supply chain. There is therefore no need for the Legislative Yuan to provide the Ministry with additional funding. The President expressed hope that the Legislative Yuan would support the nation and enable everyone in the Ministry of National Defense, from the Minister and military leaders to every individual service member, to continue fulfilling their duties. President Lai said that he was deeply impressed by NCSIST’s research and development achievements. Taiwan’s drone technology is already keeping pace with international developments, with the National Security Council, Ministry of National Defense, Ocean Affairs Council, Ministry of the Interior, and other relevant Executive Yuan agencies all contributing to the effort. Through international exchanges, the Ministry of National Defense has also developed a comprehensive blueprint for drone operations. NCSIST, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, the Institute for Information Industry, and research institutions at universities are all in position, as is the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA). “In other words, everything is ready except the final impetus,” President Lai said. If the Legislative Yuan supports the Ministry of National Defense, the Executive Yuan, and the nation in building an integrated drone attack and defense system, the President said he was confident in assuring the public that the government would safeguard national security and preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. President Lai acknowledged that competition and confrontation among political parties are inevitable. However, the national interest and the lives and property of the people must never be used as bargaining chips in political conflict. He said it was deeply disheartening to repeatedly see Minister Koo and his colleagues having to visit plenary sessions, legislative committees, and individual legislators’ offices to explain the proposals. The time and energy spent on these efforts could instead allow the Minister, commanders at every level, and service members to focus on training and maintaining combat effectiveness. President Lai emphasized that he had come to NCSIST specifically to explain the matter to the public and seek support for the government’s determination to defend national security and protect peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The government is confident that once the Legislative Yuan approves the special defense budget, all the relevant programs can be rapidly put in place. President Lai stressed that the funding should be provided through a special budget rather than annual budgets, as force development and defense preparedness require stable, long-term government funding. Taiwan has also historically used special budgets to fund major defense development and preparedness programs. He called on the public to express its support and thereby encourage the opposition parties to do the same. He also urged parties across the political spectrum to jointly support national security and industrial development, demonstrating to the international community Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung spoke to the media today before appearing at the Legislative Yuan for questioning. Addressing public concerns over proposed drone legislation, tender inspection and acceptance procedures, and the outsourcing of security duties at military academies, Minister Koo provided clarification and reiterated that the Ministry of National Defense has remained consistent in formulating procurement plans based on operational requirements. He expressed hope that lawmakers across party lines would pass the Executive Yuan’s proposed drone procurement legislation to meet Taiwan’s urgent defense needs and build up its unmanned systems capabilities. Responding to a legislator’s allegations of irregularities involving an Army drone procurement project, Minister Koo stated that the allegations were entirely unfounded. Minister Koo explained that two separate cases may have been conflated. One commissioned project was terminated in 2023, while the current public procurement project was awarded through an open tendering process. Delivery inspections and two rounds of reinspection were conducted in accordance with the contract. As the contractor failed to pass the required inspections, the Ministry imposed contractual penalties, confiscated the performance bond, and terminated the contract in accordance with the law and the terms of the contract. No payment under the contract will be made. Regarding concerns over the use of private security personnel for guard duties at military academies, Minister Koo stressed that military academies should not be confused with military installations. Drawing on practices adopted by military academies overseas, the Armed Forces have assigned private security personnel to handle access control and general security at military schools. Protection involving core military missions or strategically important locations remains the responsibility of professional military personnel. These duties are fundamentally different in nature, and the arrangement ensures the overall security of military installations.

Accompanied by Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-Hsiung, Vice Chief of Army Lieutenant General Li Tian-long, Third Theater of Operations Commander Lieutenant General Lien Chih-wei, Lanyang Regional Command Commander Major General Hsu Cheng-hui, and other officials, President Lai Ching-te visited the Army’s Lanyang Regional Command in Yilan this morning to inspect its preparations for Typhoon Bavi. He thanked the Armed Forces for working alongside the Executive Yuan’s Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) on typhoon preparedness and disaster response, and encouraged service members to cooperate with local governments, stand with the people, and minimize the impact of the disaster. President Lai first received a briefing on disaster preparedness before inspecting emergency response equipment, including communications vehicles, tactical rope rescue kits, and engineering machinery. At noon, he joined unit leaders and representatives of the troops for lunch and presented an additional mess fund in recognition of their hard work. In his remarks, President Lai noted that a maritime typhoon warning for Typhoon Bavi was expected to be issued that afternoon. With the typhoon forecast to bring substantial rainfall, the Executive Yuan had already activated its disaster response mechanisms. He had therefore come to the Lanyang Regional Command under the Third Theater of Operations to inspect its preparations firsthand. President Lai reminded service members that the Armed Forces were established with the fundamental mission of protecting the lives and property of the people. Whether confronting threats from hostile forces or natural disasters, the military must stand with the people and help keep losses to a minimum. The President also offered three directives. First, all necessary disaster preparedness measures must be completed. Second, troops must be pre-positioned in areas prone to flooding and other disasters, while maintaining close cooperation with local governments. Third, the Armed Forces must actively support post-disaster recovery efforts and help affected residents resume their normal lives as quickly as possible. President Lai said the earlier briefing showed that all six operational task groups had been formed and were equipped to meet the full range of disaster response needs. More than 7,000 troops had also been placed on standby for deployment by the theater of operations to flood-prone areas across Yilan. All machinery, equipment, vehicles, and communications systems required for disaster relief were in position, demonstrating thorough preparation. The President thanked the Third Theater of Operations for assisting local governments with disaster relief when Typhoon Fung-wong struck last year, helping minimize the damage suffered by residents. At the time, Luodong, Dongshan, Wujie, and Su’ao experienced significant flooding. The Third Theater of Operations responded effectively, quickly helping to mitigate flooding, restore roads, and address other storm damage. President Lai emphasized that Taiwanese society has high expectations of the Armed Forces and strongly supports them. In addition to building defense capabilities and safeguarding national security, the military has repeatedly demonstrated its value in disaster response. During last year’s Matai’an River barrier lake incident in Hualien, hundreds of thousands of volunteers, dubbed the “Shovel Heroes,” joined relief efforts, but the Armed Forces provided the most vital source of support. This fully embodied the military’s commitment to caring for the people and standing together with them, a spirit that must continue to be upheld. In closing, President Lai once again thanked all members of the Armed Forces and expressed his hope that every disaster relief operation would be conducted safely, smoothly, and successfully.

Amid growing public concern over the impact of Taiwan’s declining birth rate on defense personnel, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-Hsiung appeared today before the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee to present a special report entitled “Armed Forces Human Resources Policies and Future Response Plans amid the Impact of the Declining Birth Rate” and answer legislators’ questions. Minister Koo began by noting that the declining birth rate has altered Taiwan’s demographic structure and reduced the number of workers entering the labor market. As a result, the Armed Forces face the dual challenges of a shrinking pool of young and working-age recruits and intensifying competition for talent from the private sector. To maintain a stable supply of personnel, the Ministry of National Defense has introduced a series of improvements in recent years covering troop management, service members’ benefits, and compensation. These measures are intended to enhance the service environment and sustain the Armed Forces’ combat capabilities. Lan Ching-ting, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense’s Department of Resource Planning, subsequently delivered a detailed report on the issue. Director-General Lan explained that Taiwan’s population is aging rapidly. After falling below 100,000 in 2023, the number of draft-eligible men is projected to continue declining and reach approximately 77,000 by 2027. To meet personnel requirements, the Armed Forces currently operate a dual-track system comprising both volunteer and compulsory service. As of the end of 2025, personnel strength stood at 80% of authorized staffing levels, with volunteer personnel accounting for 77.3% and one-year conscripts for 2.7%. Reviewing recent progress, Director-General Lan said the Ministry had introduced various incentives to improve recruitment and retention. These include adopting a more people-centered approach to personnel management, such as abolishing the requirement for service members to report in while on leave and permitting independent overseas travel. The Ministry has also implemented the Xing’an Project to accelerate the renovation of aging barracks and relaxed eligibility requirements for enlistment. The Ministry has also actively sought improvements to military pay and benefits. In 2025, five duty-related allowances, including the Volunteer Service Duty Allowance, were increased. In 2026, the Executive Yuan approved the inclusion of drone units among those eligible for the Combat Unit Allowance. These policies have produced tangible results. Both the number of volunteer personnel and the retention rate, which rose by 5.2%, increased in 2025 compared with 2024. As of June 2026, the number of volunteer personnel had also grown by more than 5,000 year on year. Turning to future plans, Director-General Lan emphasized that the Armed Forces would pursue development centered on “replacing manpower with technology” and “replacing conventional troop strength with firepower.” The military will actively procure unmanned systems and intelligent systems while incorporating key technologies such as artificial intelligence, transforming traditionally manpower-intensive units into modern, technology-enabled forces. The Armed Forces will also continue expanding opportunities for women. Women currently account for approximately 16.6% of military personnel, and further efforts will be made to foster a supportive workplace that attracts more women to military careers. In addition, the Ministry will continue reviewing duty-related allowances and plans to make conscripts serving in combat units eligible for the monthly Combat Unit Allowance, further strengthening Taiwan’s defense personnel base.