Defense News

2025/10/07

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

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1430 hours, October 7, 2025

The Ministry of National Defense stated today (October 7) that, starting at 0920 hours, it successively detected 23 sorties of various PLA main and auxiliary aircraft, including J-16, JH-7, KJ-500, and drones, operating at sea, of which 17 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.

2025/10/02

Ministry of National Defense: Minister Li-Hsiung Koo Visited Penghu Stationed Troops to Offer Mid-Autumn Festival Greetings and Encourage Continuous Improvement of Robust Combat Capabilities

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1910 hours, October 2, 2025

   On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Minister of National Defense Li-Hsiung Koo visited the Penghu area today (October 2) to offer condolences to Army, Navy, and Air Force units, understanding the combat readiness training situation. Minister Koo expressed high appreciation for the dedication of operational zone personnel in steadfastly holding their posts without complaint, and encouraged the personnel to continue deepening realistic combat training, maintaining high readiness levels for defense operations, and striving to safeguard national territory security.

   Accompanied by Army Commander General Lü, Deputy Chief of General Staff Executive Officer General Huang, and others, Minister Koo personally visited the Penghu area to gain an on-site understanding of the training and duty execution of the three services; he also delved into the living spaces of the personnel, expressing concern for living conditions and leave arrangements at the station, and reminding units to continuously strengthen human resource management, implement personnel welfare care, enhance retention rates and recruitment effectiveness, and grow combat capabilities in a stable manner.

   Minister Koo pointed out that, facing severe enemy threat situations, Penghu is a key domain for defense operations, and units should base their efforts on the joint operations plan, continuously refine action effectiveness such as on-the-spot decision-making by commanders at all levels, and foster a mutually supportive and warm camaraderie culture to build robust combat capabilities. During the itinerary, Minister Koo also presented additional meal allowances, wishing personnel a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival; he emphasized that the Ministry of National Defense will continue to provide sufficient resources to improve various living conditions, working together to ensure national defense security.

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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