INTERVIEW/Taiwan military boosts readiness amid rising China threat: Defense minister

Taipei, May 23 (CNA) Taiwan's armed forces are focused on combat readiness as a core element of deterrence in response to growing threats from China, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told CNA.
Speaking in an interview marking one year since he took office under President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Koo said the military is undergoing a critical transformation to better respond to mounting hostility from Beijing.
"We are on an island. We need to stock up on military supplies if China launches attacks in waves. We may even have to face a war of endurance," he said.
To prepare for such scenarios, the armed forces have adjusted their training programs. Koo said new training subjects have been added for conscripts and senior officers, including content related to newly acquired military equipment.
He said the goal is to "prepare for war," and that readiness is fundamental to maintaining deterrence.

Koo also pointed to Taiwan's continued emphasis on asymmetric warfare, particularly following the extension of compulsory military service to one year as of Jan. 1, 2024. Systems such as air defense units, drones and mobile radars are part of Taiwan's strategy to ensure precision and flexibility in the face of a numerically superior adversary.
Koo, who previously served as secretary-general of the National Security Council under the administration of former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), introduced an unscripted format to the 2024 Han Kuang military exercises to reflect more realistic battlefield conditions.
He said the military must assess whether troop planning and positioning are adequate for situations in which the Chinese People's Liberation Army unexpectedly escalates exercises near Taiwan into actual attacks.
This scenario was the basis of March 17-21 drills, which addressed risks posed by "gray zone" tactics -- coercive actions that stop short of direct conflict.
The annual Han Kuang exercises are scheduled for July 9-18 this year -- significantly longer than last year's five-day war games, which were shortened by a typhoon. Koo emphasized that the purpose of the exercises is to identify flaws in current plans and troubleshoot problems.

Koo also said that a review of troop numbers is planned for the second half of the year, in light of ongoing military upgrades. The review will assess whether adjustments are needed across different units.
He noted, for example, that the U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket system can be operated by just three soldiers, while the M110 self-propelled howitzer requires five to eight -- a difference that could affect how individuals are deployed.
- Taiwan, U.S. to outmatch China militarily in 2027: Ex-Pacific Command chiefThe United States and Taiwan will maintain a collective military advantage over China in and around the Taiwan Strait if Beijing attempts aggression against Taiwan in 2027, as many have speculated, according to former U.S. Pacific Command head Dennis Blair.06/16/2025 12:36 PM
- Motherland reborn: Taiwanese-Swedish gymnast Tonya Paulsson eyes 2028 OlympicsFor Taiwanese-Swedish artistic gymnast Tonya Paulsson, who joined Sweden's gymnastics national team in 2016, competing internationally is nothing new.06/11/2025 09:33 AM
- Jane Goodall praises 30 years of conservation progress in TaiwanWorld-renowned zoologist and environmental campaigner Jane Goodall praised Taiwan for its progress in wildlife conservation over the past three decades, while also offering suggestions to improve human-wildlife coexistence during her 18th visit to the country.06/09/2025 06:08 PM
- Society
Nearly half of Taiwan users turn to YouTube for news: survey
06/25/2025 03:41 PM - Sports
2025 U-12 Baseball World Cup to open in Tainan July 25
06/25/2025 03:34 PM - Society
Taiwan adjusts school calendar to ensure uninterrupted winter break
06/25/2025 03:00 PM - Society
Taiwan's allies showcase coffee, chili sauce, beef at Taipei Food Show
06/25/2025 02:44 PM - Business
Taipei food fair opens, attracting record 1,700 exhibitors
06/25/2025 02:32 PM