2025/01/19
The Ministry of National Defense released a press statement explaining the " 15% Reduce of 2025 budget for Overseas Travel Expenses and Overseas Education and Training"
MND Press Release
Published at 14:30 on January 19, 2025
The Ministry of National Defense stated today (Jan. 19) that sending military personnel abroad for training to acquire tactical knowledge, combat strategies, and real-world experience is essential for strengthening the military's combat capabilities. However, the Ministry's 2025 budget for "overseas travel expenses and overseas education and training costs" has been reduced by 15%, and the funds cannot be reallocated. This reduction will significantly negatively impact efforts to improve tactics, strategies, and procedures.
The Ministry of National Defense further explained that building the necessary weapon platforms for military operations, improving operational guidelines, and strengthening military exchange and training cooperation are all important. In recent years, Taiwan's interactions with allied countries have become increasingly close, allowing for opportunities to send personnel abroad for training, gaining real combat experience from advanced nations, and enhancing military capabilities through such training. However, the original overseas budget was insufficient; the additional cuts will worsen it. This will prevent important, non-planned training missions and key exchange meetings agreed upon with allied countries. The scale of military training and cooperation with allied nations will be significantly reduced, severely affecting the opportunities for military personnel to receive training and learn. This will also hinder the promotion of various military exchange activities.
The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the overseas defense budget is "spent wisely" to use training and exchanges for military personnel to update tactics and strategies, enhance operational capabilities with advanced weapons and equipment, and coordinate and negotiate various arms sales. The Ministry calls on the Legislative Yuan's party caucuses to consider strengthening national defense and security, reduce the proportion of cuts, and agree to allow the reallocation of funds to minimize the impact on the military's efforts to build readiness and prepare for defense.