Defense News

2025/09/04

Ministry of National Defense Issues Press Release Regarding Media Reports on “Significant Increase in 2026 Defense Budget Allocation for Utility Costs”

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1410 hours, September 4, 2025

   In response to media reports alleging a “significant increase in the Ministry of National Defense’s 2026 budget allocation for utility costs,” the Ministry of National Defense stated today (September 4) that, as the 2025 overall budget had to be finalized by March 31, 2024, the additional electricity costs resulting from Taiwan Power Company’s price adjustments in April and October 2024 could not be included in the 2025 defense budget and must be covered by the 2026 budget allocation.

   The Ministry of National Defense further clarified that, based on an analysis of actual electricity consumption, the ROC Armed Forces used approximately 1.07 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024, and as of July this year (2025), approximately 590 million kilowatt-hours, showing no significant increase compared to the same period last year, and refuting claims of “wasteful spending or inflated budgeting.”

   The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that, without compromising combat readiness, the ROC Armed Forces adhere to the principle of “using what is necessary and saving where possible.” They have collaborated with Taiwan Power Company to review “contracted electricity capacity” and “power factor,” and are promoting the establishment of an “energy management system” to enhance energy conservation and budget efficiency.

2025/08/30

Ministry of National Defense: Minister Ku Receives U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, Expresses Hope for Deepening Taiwan-U.S. Security Cooperation

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1500 hours, August 30, 2025

Minister Ku Receives U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, Expresses Hope for Deepening Taiwan-U.S. Security Cooperation

   Minister of National Defense Ku Li-Hsiung today (August 30) received a delegation led by U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, expressing gratitude for the delegation’s steadfast support for Taiwan and hoping that Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation will continue to deepen and reach new heights.

   In the morning, Minister Ku, accompanied by Major General Huang, Director of the Strategic Planning Department, Major General Chu, Assistant Deputy Chief of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, and other relevant Ministry of National Defense officials, met with Chairman Roger Wicker, Senator Deb Fischer, and other members of the delegation.

   During his remarks, Minister Ku stated that this visit marks not only Senator Roger Wicker’s first trip to Taiwan as chairman but also the first visit by a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee chairman since 2016, holding profound significance for Taiwan-U.S. bilateral relations.

   Minister Ku noted that the U.S. Congress has consistently, across party lines, prioritized Taiwan’s defense and security, demonstrating firm support through concrete actions. Senator Roger Wicker’s visit exemplifies a steadfast commitment to Taiwan’s democracy, prosperity, and security, and he expressed sincere gratitude to Chairman Roger Wicker and the U.S. government.

   Minister Ku further highlighted that Senator Roger Wicker has long focused on developments in the international situation and the challenges facing the democratic and free world, consistently taking proactive measures within the Armed Services Committee, such as holding hearings and proposing legislation, to safeguard the national security of the United States and its democratic allies while advocating for increased U.S. attention to Taiwan.

   Minister Ku mentioned that Senator Roger Wicker has stated, “The future survival of Taiwan’s democracy is critical to the prosperity and security of the United States,” and has called for the U.S. government to work with Congress to accelerate the transfer, financing, and sale of critical military capabilities to Taiwan. Thanks to Senator Roger Wicker’s proactive efforts, Taiwan, with U.S. assistance, has been able to continuously strengthen its defense capabilities to counter threats from the Chinese Communist Party.

   Senator Roger Wicker stated that the “strategic ambiguity” policy has been in place for many years, and deliberately altering its terminology is unnecessary. The delegation’s visit to Taiwan underscores the U.S. Congress’s commitment to Taiwan’s security, emphasizing that Taiwan and the U.S. will stand shoulder to shoulder to safeguard democracy and freedom.

About MND

The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent to destabilize Taiwan politically and economically. Moreover, its robust economic expansion in recent years has fueled its defense spending for greater military muscle. In order to maintain Cross-Strait stability and avoid a military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait, the ROC government is calling for the establishment of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and a code of conduct on the one hand, and, on the other hand, has been constructing basic defense forces and counterattack capability to safeguard the territory without engaging in an arms race with the other side.

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