Tag: Ministry of National Defense

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Analysis & Commentary Featured Taiwan Government

Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) Reports

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) occasionally publishes reports on the status of the military and national security in Taiwan.

Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)

The Amendment to Article 31 of the National Defense Act passed by the Legislative Yuan on July 17, 2008 mandates the MND to submit a Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) within ten months after every new president takes office in order to review and confirm defense strategy and military strategy, and provide a vision for future development.

The Taiwan Quadrennial Defense Review publications are available at www.mnd.gov.tw. Follow links to the MND publication page.

Quadrennial Defense Review 2009

Published in March, 2009

Quadrennial Defense Review 2013

Published in March, 2013

Quadrennial Defense Review 2017

Published in March, 2017

Quadrennial Defense Review 2021

Published in March, 2021

National Defense Report

The Ministry of National Defense is obligated to periodically report “what it has done, what it is doing, what it prepares to do, why it is going to do so” to the people in accordance with Article 30 of the National Defense Act. The National Defense Report is published to give citizens a better understanding of the nation’s current security environment and national defense policy.

For the Chinese language and comic book versions of these reports, and for all MND publications, see www.mnd.gov.tw. Follow links to the publication page.

National Defense Report 2002

Published July, 2002

National Defense Report 2006

Published August 14, 2006

National Defense Report 2008

Published May 13, 2008

National Defense Report 2009

Published October, 2009

National Defense Report 2011

Published July, 2011

National Defense Report 2013

Published October, 2013

National Defense Report 2015

Published October, 2015

National Defense Report 2017

Published December, 2017

National Defense Report 2019

Published September, 2019

National Defense Report 2021

Published November 9, 2021

National Defense Report 2023

Published September 12, 2023

Additional versions of these reports are also available at the Taiwan in Perspective’s “Complete Collection of Taiwan’s Defence Policy Documents” page.

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Taiwan Government

MND Paper and Presentation: Taiwan Force Structure Adjustment for Enhancing All-Out Defense

Taiwan Force Structure Adjustment for Enhancing All-Out Defense
by
Horng-Huei “Alex” Po, Vice Minister of Defense (Policy), Ministry of National Defense

The US-Taiwan Business Council recently received copies of a paper and presentation on Force Structure Adjustment for Enhancing All-Out Defense, given by Horng-Huei “Alex” Po, the Vice Minister of Defense (Policy) at Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND).

Excerpt from the MND paper:

The shift of the conscription service from 4 months to one year is a big national policy. After assessing for two years, drawing experiences from the conscription system of democratic countries in the world, and considering national security, we will shift to the 1-year conscription service under the Military Service System Act. Starting from January 1st 2024, men who were born in 2005 will be drafted under the 1-year conscription service. After going through complete military training, they can take the responsibility to safeguard the homeland. We will continue to open for public opinions in order to make the adjustment perfect for the public. The shift also shows ROC’s resolution to stay steadfast in holding the value of freedom and democracy. We hope that the youth realize that it is every young Taiwanese’s glorious mission and obligation to protect their country. They need to rise to the challenge of military training with courage. We request every fellow citizen’s support so that we may ensure the sustainable development of the ROC and the well-being of the people of Taiwan.

The US-Taiwan Business Council is pleased to share these documents. Please see below:

Taiwan Force Structure Adjustment for Enhancing All-Out Defense – Presentation

Taiwan Force Structure Adjustment for Enhancing All-Out Defense – Paper

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Past Events

October 2-4, 2022 – US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2022

October 2-4, 2022 – US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2022

Event: US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2022
October 2-4, 2022
Richmond, Virginia

www.taiwandefenseconference.com

The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2022 will be held October 2-4, 2022 at the OMNI Richmond Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. This event will be held in person only. This will be the 21st annual event in a series of ongoing conferences addressing the future of U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan, the defense procurement process, and Taiwan’s defense and national security needs.

The conference will open with a discussion on the evolving threat in the Taiwan Strait. The first session will examine the threat to Taiwan in light of the Russia-Ukraine war, and discuss any potential lessons that could be learned by China, Taiwan, and the United States.

The second session will consider the growth and evolution of Taiwan’s strategic thinking, to improve U.S. industry understanding of the current trajectory for Taiwan defense planning in the short, medium, and long term. The third session will discuss non-traditional engagement efforts between the U.S. and Taiwan – training, logistics, sustainment, industrial cooperation, etc. – with a particular focus on industry collaboration and how such undertakings can support both Taiwan and U.S. national security goals.

The fourth session will focus on deterrence and resilience, discussing Phase Zero activities and measures that could help improve Taiwan’s defensive posture, and panelists will discuss ways that bilateral cooperation could help improve deterrence and build Taiwan’s resilience. The fifth and final session will continue the discussion on deterrence and resilience, taking a regional approach to a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait by examining the role that other U.S. partners and allies such as Japan and Australia could play in ongoing deterrence efforts.

The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference website is at www.taiwandefenseconference.com

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Past Events

October 10-12, 2021 – US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2021

Event: US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2021
October 10-12, 2021
Leesburg, Virginia

www.taiwandefenseconference.com

The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2021 will be held October 10-12, 2021 at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia. We are currently planning to host this event in person. This will be the 20th annual event in a series of ongoing conferences addressing the future of U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan, the defense procurement process, and Taiwan’s defense and national security needs.

This year, the conference will open with a discussion on the evolving threat in the Taiwan Strait. The opening session will examine how the threat picture for Taiwan is changing, given that the PRC is intensifying its threat posture towards Taiwan and intensifying its incursions into the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). We will also discuss how Taiwan, the U.S., and their regional allies could potentially respond.

The second session will examine the big picture of Taiwan’s overarching defense strategy. As the overarching approach drives both policy and acquisitions, this session will discuss current strategic thinking in Taiwan. We will also consider the U.S. view of that approach, and how reconciling differences could provide insights into areas ripe for further development and cooperation. The third session will discuss national security as a whole-of-society approach, including ways to enhance supply chain security, how to leverage public/private partnerships to support defensive priorities, and how civic defense and civic mobilization could help Taiwan enhance deterrence and improve resilience.

The fourth session will consider how the two sides are continuing to explore ways to deepen business relationships in the defense sector. Building on the discussion at the June 2021 Taiwan-U.S. Defense Business Forum, this session will focus on new approaches to bind the defense industries on both sides closer together, as well as to support future defense and security cooperation efforts.

The fifth and final session will discuss how the Taiwan defense industrial base has continued to develop, and will examine some past and current programs where the U.S. and Taiwan have cooperated to support indigenous production of key systems for the Taiwan military. The panel will discuss how to build on what has worked in the past, and how to surface ideas and opportunities for potential future collaboration.

The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference website is at www.taiwandefenseconference.com

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Press Releases U.S. Government

The US-Taiwan Business Council Welcomes the Sale to Taiwan of Mobile Coastal Defense Systems with RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Missiles

(Arlington, Virginia, October 26, 2020)

The US-Taiwan Business Council today welcomed the announcement of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Taiwan of up to 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS) with up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles and related equipment and support. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this proposed arms sale on October 26, 2020.

The published Congressional Notification (transmittal number 20-68) is for a total expected program cost of US$2.37 billion. The proposed sale consists of up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles and 4 RTM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Exercise Missiles. Also included are 411 containers, 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense System Launcher Transporter Units, 25 radar trucks, spare and repair parts, and other elements of personnel, documentation, engineering, technical, and logistics support.

In response to this notification, the fourth involving Taiwan over the last week, US-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said, “it is important to look at the totality of Taiwan’s capacity-building efforts to fully grasp the effort to improve Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.”

Hammond-Chambers added “These mobile land-based coastal defense batteries, with proven and reliable Harpoon missiles, add to Taiwan’s existing anti-ship defenses and provide significant additional deterrent capabilities. The substantial expansion of Taiwan’s Coastal Defense Cruise Missile stocks, which also include the domestically designed and built Hsiung Feng II/III, is a welcome development.”

Source: See the DSCA website at https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales

USTBC Welcomes the Sale to Taiwan of Mobile Coastal Defense Systems with RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Missiles
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Press Releases U.S. Government

The US-Taiwan Business Council Comments on Three Proposed Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan for US$1.8113 billion

(Arlington, Virginia, October 21, 2020)

The US-Taiwan Business Council today welcomed the announcement of three possible Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan of 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles, 6 MS-110 Recce Pods, and 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers, along with related equipment and support.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certifications notifying Congress of these proposed arms sales on October 21, 2020. The published Congressional Notifications (transmittal numbers 20-69, 20-75, and 20-77) are for a total expected program cost of US$1.8113 billion.

  • Notification 70-69 – for an estimated program cost of US$1.008 billion – includes 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles [a precision-guided, air-launched cruise missile], 4 ATM-84H SLAM-ER Telemetry Missiles, 12 CATM-84H Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 151 containers, spare and repair parts, along with related equipment, training, engineering, and other elements of technical and logistics support.
  • Notification 70-75 – for an estimated program cost of US$367.2 million – includes 6 MS-110 Recce Pods [advanced reconnaissance for F-16 fighter jets], 3 Transportable Ground Stations, 1 Fixed Ground station, spare and repair parts, system support and equipment, training, documentation, and other related elements of logistical and program support.
  • Notification 20-77 – for an estimated program cost of US$436.1 million – includes 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers [a truck-mounted light multiple rocket launcher], 64 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) M57 Unitary Missiles. 7 M1152Al High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), 11 M240B Machine Guns (7.62MM), and 17 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (IFATDS). Also included are 54 M28A2 Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket Pods (LCRRPR), 11 M2Al machine guns (.50 caliber), radio systems and radio ground stations, 11 M1084A2 cargo Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) Resupply Vehicles (RSV), 2 M1089A2 cargo wrecker FMTV RSV, and 11 M1095 trailer cargo FMTV (5-ton). In addition, the notification includes support, training, testing, and communications equipment, along with related elements of logistical and program support.

The US-Taiwan Business Council supports these Congressional notifications. Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers stated that “The quality of the three programs notified today clearly reflects the urgency of continued Taiwan force modernization to counteract China’s hegemonic behavior. Each program adds an important deterrent capability that should further complicate any consideration by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to threaten or to use force to coerce Taiwan into a political union.”

Hammond-Chambers went on to say “The US-Taiwan Business Council believes that Taiwan arms sales notifications should be driven by the regular internal process, and should be free of political delays. Today’s announcements continue the return to regular order for consideration, process, and release of needed capabilities.”

Source: See the DSCA website at https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales

https://www.us-taiwan.org/resources/the-us-taiwan-business-council-comments-on-three-proposed-foreign-military-sales-to-taiwan/

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Past Events

October 5-6, 2020 – Virtual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2020

Virtual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2020

Event: US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2020
October 5-6, 2020
Virtual Event

The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2020 was held October 5-6, 2020 as a virtual event due to the pandemic. It was the 19th annual event in a series of ongoing conferences addressing the future of U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan, the defense procurement process, and Taiwan’s defense and national security needs.

The 2020 virtual defense conference opened with a discussion on the evolution of the threat to Taiwan. The opening session examined how a more perilous security environment could drive Taiwan’s deterrence and defense options, and how it determines how to meet its current and future military needs.

The second and third sessions assessed Taiwan’s doctrine, readiness, and civil-military relations, as well as how the indigenous defense industry can play a role in developing Taiwan’s capabilities to meet the evolving threat. We also explored how Taiwan is approaching combat readiness under the Overall Defense Concept (ODC), and how the island can leverage civil-military relations to continue strengthening both its democratic institutions and its defensive capabilities.

Keynote Addresses & Conference Program

Keynote speakers included senior representatives from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense and from the U.S. government. For copies of released speeches from this conference, see www.us-taiwan.org.

Conference sessions at the US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference feature a moderator and several speakers on the panel, and some sessions may include additional commentators. Each speaker gives a short presentation on the session topic from his or her own viewpoint and expertise. Those presentations are then followed by a moderator-led discussion among the panelists, as well as a moderator-driven question and answer period with the attendees. This format offers the maximum amount of time for exchanges among the panelists, as well as between the panel and the audience, allowing the sessions to become a forum for substantial and valuable interaction and discussion.

The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference website is at www.taiwandefenseconference.com

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Press Releases U.S. Government

USTBC Comments on the Proposed Sale of Repair & Recertification of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles to Taiwan

The US-Taiwan Business Council today welcomed the announcement of a possible Foreign Military Sale of Repair and Recertification of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles to Taiwan. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the proposed arms sale on July 9, 2020.

The published Congressional Notification (transmittal number 20-24) is for a total value of approximately US$620 million. The notification includes recertification of (PAC-3) missiles, Repair and Return of classified and unclassified PAC-3 missile items and Ground Support Equipment, replenishment of missile spares and GSE spares along with a seeker spares pool, air transportation services for missile processing, and other related technical and logistics support. [1]

The US-Taiwan Business Council is encouraged by these Congressional notifications. Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said “The maintenance of Taiwan’s PAC-3 capability is a welcome development. Taiwan is undertaking an important commitment to sustaining the quality of its legacy equipment, in support of deterring the coercive military threat from China. It is an important signal from the governments of Presidents Tsai and Trump that they are committed to peace and security in the Taiwan Strait through strong defensive capabilities.”

“Taiwan’s PAC-3 ground-to-air SAM system plays an essential role in protecting Taiwan from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) missile forces that physically and politically threaten and intimidate the country. The U.S. is right to support all of Taiwan’s legitimate defense needs, whether new F-16 fighters or the upgrade of legacy equipment.”

Hammond-Chambers went on to say that “the PLA’s commitment to its own force modernization – and the threat that poses to peace and security in Asia – is a constant reminder that consistent arms sales to Taiwan is in the interests of the United States and of its Asia Pacific allies.”

[1] See the DSCA website at http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales

https://www.us-taiwan.org/resources/ustbc-comments-on-repair-recertification-of-pac-3-missiles-to-taiwan

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Air Force Army Navy Taiwan Government

Taiwan’s National Defense Organization (2019)

The organization chart for the Taiwan government's national defense command structure (2019).
The organization chart for the Taiwan government’s national defense command structure (2019).

Source:

Taiwan National Defense Report – 2019Download
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Press Releases

Press Note: The U.S. Defense Community Mourns the Loss of Eight Taiwan Defense Officials, Including CGS Shen Yi-ming, Killed in Helicopter Crash

The US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) and the U.S. defense community today mourn the loss of eight Taiwan defense officials killed in a helicopter crash in the mountains of New Taipei City on the morning of January 2, 2020. The list of casualties include Taiwan’s top military official, Chief of the General Staff General Shen Yi-ming, who was one of nine military officials aboard along with three crew members and a reporter from the Military News Agency. The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter was en route from Taipei to a base in Yilan as part of a pre-Lunar New Year visit with troops when it crashed.

In response, Taiwan has grounded its 52 Black Hawk helicopters for inspection of fuselage structure, radar, control, and other systems, including the 14 Black Hawks fielded by the Taiwan Air Force, 30 by the Taiwan Army, and 8 by the National Airborne Service Corps. The Ministry of National Defense has said that a special task force will be formed to investigate the cause of the crash. In addition, all three candidates in Taiwan’s January 11, 2020 presidential election have announced that they will temporarily suspend their campaigns to observe a period of mourning.

Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers expressed his thoughts, saying “USTBC, our members, and the entire U.S. defense community are saddened by this terrible tragedy. We mourn those lost, and hope for a swift recovery for the five survivors. In particular, the loss of CGS Shen Yi-ming is a blow to Taiwan’s ongoing determination to combat aggressive and coercive efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to end Taiwan’s free and democratic society. General Shen was a leading voice in the evolving strategy to combat PRC coercion on and around the island, as well as the procurement, training and posture necessary to deter the PRC from unilateral efforts to undermine the island’s sovereignty.”

“General Shen was a leading candidate for the post of Minister of National Defense, should President Tsai secure a second term. In addition, he was a kind and intelligent person steeped in humility and highly respected within Taiwan’s military and civilian leadership. He had also built a strong professional network in the U.S., particularly during his time as Vice Minister for Policy, which strengthened his importance as an indispensable voice. He will be greatly missed.”

The eight officials killed in the crash were:

  • Air Force General Shen Yi-ming, Chief of the General Staff, Ministry of National Defense
  • Major General Hung Hung-chun, Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence (J2)
  • Major General Yu Chin-wen, Deputy Director, Political Warfare Bureau
  • Lieutenant Colonel Yeh Chien-yi, Pilot
  • Captain Liu Chen-fu, Co-pilot
  • Sergeant Major Han Cheng-hung
  • Sergeant Hsu Hung-pin, Engineer
  • Major Huang Sheng-hang, Staff Officer, Office of the Chief of the General Staff

The five survivors are:

  • Lieutenant General Huang Yu-min, Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Logistics (J4)
  • Lieutenant General Tsao Chin-ping, Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Communications, Electronics & Information (J6)
  • Major General Liu Hsiao-tang, Director, Accounting Office, Operations & Planning (J3)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Chou Hsin-yi, Officer, Operations & Planning (J3)
  • Sergeant Chen Ying-chu, Reporter, Military News Agency

About the US-Taiwan Business Council:

The US-Taiwan Business Council (www.us-taiwan.org) is a membership-based non-profit association, founded in 1976 to foster trade and business relations between the United States and Taiwan. The Council provides its members with business intelligence, offers access to an extensive network of relationships, and serves as a vital and effective representative in dealing with business, trade, and investment matters.