Defense News

2024/10/01

MND Releases Statement Addressing Online False Accusations of Fraudulent Arms Sales

MND News Report
Date: 21:00, October 1, 2024

The Ministry of National Defense has issued the following statements addressing online false accusations of fraudulent arms sales:

1. International news outlets revealed that US authorities voluntarily investigated this overpricing case, notifying Taiwan of the results and requesting compensation on Taiwan’s behalf. As of now, the US Justice Department has reached a plea agreement with the contractor and will return the improper gains to Taiwan. Taiwan and the US will continue to work closely to improve fraud prevention.

2. Democratic nations share a common commitment to ensuring compliance and fighting corruption in arms sales. This case demonstrates how both Taiwan and the US have strict fraud prevention mechanisms in place for arms sales. Taiwan and the US closely coordinated during the investigation. However, certain details cannot be disclosed as it is an ongoing judicial investigation. Therefore, online accusations that the case is being purposely concealed or covered up are untrue.

3. This news coincided with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and videos of the PLA Eastern Theater Command threatening Taiwan. This news was evidently produced by a content farm to propagate the American Skepticism Theory. It is of utmost importance that the public view such news with caution since it threatens our nation’s security and US-Taiwan relations.

2024/09/30

The Ministry of National Defense issued a press release explaining the episode with respect to "Typhoon prevention as well as preparations for disaster relief and rescue"

Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: September 30, 2024 at 11:40

   In response to the possible impact from Typhoon "Krathon" on the eastern and southern region of Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) held a management and regulatory meeting at the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) today, during which it demanded troops of all levels with the Armed Forces to closely monitor the trends and developments of typhoon and status of potential disaster areas. In such a way, the Armed Forces could render with the most comprehensive preparation and organization so as to reduce disaster losses.

   As pointed out by MND, the Second Combat Zone and MND had, for the time being, worked with CEOC and completed first-level establishment. As for the remaining combat zones, they will rapport with each of the local governments to furnish upgrading of establishment in order assist the implementation of various disaster prevention tasks.

   As NND further stated, the total power of Armed Forces standing-by for disaster prevention standby are about 15,000 servicemen at the moment, while more than 1,000 vehicles (units) of disaster prevention equipment and machines in 33 categories as AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles, rubber boats, and others are completed of preparation and organization. Besides, troops and machinery for immediate rescue in disaster potential areas and low-lying areas have been pre-deployed, with various hospitals of the Armed Forces to have organized rescue medical teams to provide medical support at any time.

   MND emphasized that it will follow up on the path of Typhoon Krathon, and also render various preparations for typhoon prevention and preparation work for disaster prevention and rescue, on the premise of ensuring the safety of servicemen. All in all, the servicemen will work hand in hand to protect our homeland and safeguard the safety of people's lives and property.

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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