Guaranteeing security
The Ministry of National Defense proposed a five-year comprehensive troop-augmentation plan to bolster the military’s comprehensive warfare capabilities and address threats and challenges.
However, the plan should include warfare capabilities, installations and equipment, training, and demobilization and retirement, which would elevate the armed forces’ defensive capabilities and responsiveness to military pressure from China.
The definitive content of such a plan would include expanding capabilities, elevating standards of modernization and increasing stockpiles of latest-generation weaponry, as well as research and development, procurement and installation of equipment.
The ministry should also augment training to boost the combat skills and response capabilities of soldiers. It should also optimize logistics support systems.
Voluntary service continues to advance toward specialist training, including on weapons systems, which are a core part of the armed forces’ strength. By improving training for volunteer service members, a reservist force could be created.
By strengthening the reservist system, the ministry could guarantee that there are adequate personnel to provide sustained fighting support during an emergency or a war, which would boost the nation’s morale.
Volunteer service members and reservists play a critical role in the five-year plan. Bolstering comprehensive fighting capabilities would address threats to our national security.
The acceleration of Taiwan’s military modernization would also be a threat to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). By increasing defense capabilities, Taiwan would create more hurdles for the Chinese military to overcome and force the CPP to review its evaluation of Taiwan’s military strategies, making it less willing to risk any adventurism.
In the face of increasingly complex international developments and the CCP’s threats, Taiwanese should be striving to support national defense improvements to safeguard their liberties and democracy.
A five-year rebuilding plan would be the first step to bolstering national security. It needs buy-in from all Taiwanese. A military that possesses resolute fighting capabilities is the basis of national security. Whoever holds comprehensive national joint support could guarantee Taiwan’s security and stability.
Chang Ya-jou
Taipei
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