Defense News

2025/04/27

The Ministry of National Defense released a press statement explaining "The P.R.C. carries out joint combat readiness alert patrols."

Published at 12:30 on April 27, 2025

The Ministry of National Defense stated today (Apr. 27) that since 08:50 a.m., there are in total 26 aircrafts been detected carrying out maritime operations, including various fighters, support aircraft, helicopters, and drones such as the Shenyang J-16, Shaanxi KJ-500. Among these, 14 crossed the Taiwan strait mid-line and extended lines, entering the northern, central, eastern, and southwestern airspace of our country. This activity is in coordination with the fleet of People's Republic of China performing "joint combat readiness alert patrols." The Republic of China Armed Forces are closely monitoring the situation through joint intelligence, surveillance, and detection methods, and have deployed mission aircraft, mission ships, and shore-based missile systems to appropriately respond to and manage the situation.

2025/04/16

The Ministry of National Defense released a press statement explaining the "Outbreak of numerous retirement applications from military officers in the R.O.C. armed forces."

MND Press Release
Published at 10:40 on April 16, 2025

   In response to media reports claiming "the outbreak of numerous retirement applications from military officers in the R.O.C. armed forces," the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (Apr. 16) that, upon verification, the number of retirements over the past three years among personnel having served for 20 or 10 years is close to normal statistics, and the number of this year (2025) has even significantly decreased. The media's claims that 'cross-strait tensions and increased military preparedness pressure have led to a surge in officer retirement applications' are untrue.

   The MND pointed out that, when facing the declining birth rates and increasing competition for talent from the private enterprises, the R.O.C. armed forces have adhered to a "people-oriented" philosophy to optimize policy management, reduce formalism, and improve operational efficiency. A fair and competitive compensation was offered to attract and retain talent. Currently, ‘‘additional allowances for volunteer service and combat units’’ have been increased, expecting that long-term investment in personnel will bring multiple benefits such as manpower stability and enhanced combat capabilities for the military.

   The MND further explained that it continues to upgrade and improve equipment and welfare measures directly related to the wellbeing of military personnel. New rifles and bullet-proof plates of new generation have been produced and delivered to the R.O.C. armed forces. Regarding the “Xing'an Project” which aims at enhancing the barrack infrastructures and the living environment, 83 projects were completed as of the end of last year. In terms of caring for military families, 380 new service housing units were constructed by the end of last year, and plans have been finalized for the next phase, which includes 9 projects with 680 additional units.

   The MND stated that efforts across various policy measures have begun to yield positive results in terms of personnel growth. For example, the number of voluntary retirements in 2024 has decreased by 325 compared to 2023. Additionally, the rate of stay-in-camp in 2024 has risen to 82%, marking an increase from the previous year. This significant improvement in stay-in-camp reflects that military personnel are experiencing the positive impact of enhancements in the service environment.

   The MND emphasized that safeguarding national security and protecting the homeland is the unshrinkable duty of all military personnel. In the face of increasingly severe threats, our military officers have remained fully committed to combat readiness and training, never backing down in the face of challenges. The MND urged the media to avoid using biased or misleading content to misinform the public.

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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