Defense News

2025/11/20

Ministry of National Defense Issues Press Release Regarding“PLA’s Joint Combat Readiness Patrol”

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1930 hours, November 20, 2025

The Ministry of National Defense stated today (November 20) that, starting at 1454 hours, it successively detected 24 sorties of various PLA main and auxiliary aircraft, including J-10, J-16, JH-7, KJ-500, and drones, operating at sea, of which 16 sorties crossed the median line and its extension, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, and southwestern airspace, and coordinated with PLA vessels to conduct harassment in the surrounding air and sea domains under the pretext of a so-called “joint combat readiness patrol.” The ROC Armed Forces employed joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means to closely monitor the situation and dispatched mission aircraft, vessels, and shore-based missile systems to respond appropriately.

2025/11/18

Ministry of National Defense Issues Press Release Regarding Public Questions on “Taiwan’s National Public Safety Guide Procurement Avoiding Legislative Yuan Review”

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 2135 hours, November 18, 2025



   The Ministry of National Defense stated today (November 18) that since the release of Taiwan’s National Public Safety Guide in September, it has received widespread positive recognition and response from all sectors, with many requesting physical copies or authorization to print them. At the same time, countries such as the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia have successively distributed civil defense handbooks to the public. Taiwan’s efforts align with those of many democratic nations and have earned praise and recognition from the international community.

   The Ministry of National Defense explained that, considering that some elderly citizens are not accustomed to reading online and that widespread distribution of physical copies can reduce the digital divide while ensuring immediate effectiveness in emergencies, it applied for the Executive Yuan’s Second Reserve Fund in accordance with policy directives and the Budget Act, conducted an open tender, and awarded the contract for NT$42.79 million. There was absolutely no intentional circumvention of Legislative Yuan review.

   The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that thorough preparation to address unpredictable disaster risks strengthens protection of citizens’ lives and property. This constitutes a long-term and essential public investment and calls on the public to support these efforts.

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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