TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) will mobilize thousands of troops for the live-fire phase of its annual Han Kuang 41 exercise (漢光41號演習) from July 9 to 18, the island's largest military drill designed to test combat readiness against potential threats. Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) emphasized the exercise's critical role in assessing and enhancing the military's strategic capabilities through realistic combat scenarios, according to a statement released Wednesday (July 2).
The Ministry of National Defense initiated a three-day special education program on July 1, targeting sweeping organizational culture reforms within Taiwan's armed forces. During a recent inspection of the Marine Corps 66th Brigade, Minister Koo emphasized the urgent need to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies that divert soldiers from their primary duties. "The most valuable resource for our troops is time," Koo declared, stressing that reducing paperwork, streamlining operations, and cutting superfluous meetings would allow military personnel to focus on their fundamental mission: defending the nation.
The defense minister further identified protection of Taiwan's critical infrastructure — including power plants, water systems, and telecommunications networks — as a top security priority, noting that such facilities have become primary targets in contemporary warfare. Koo articulated a vision of "societal defense resilience" that extends beyond traditional military operations, emphasizing that safeguarding these essential systems requires coordination between military forces, civilian agencies, and the private sector. This collaborative approach to infrastructure protection serves as a vital lifeline for maintaining national stability during potential crises.
Taiwan's defense strategy is evolving to counter specific threats from across the Taiwan Strait, with Minister Koo outlining four key priorities: developing asymmetric warfare capabilities that exploit Taiwan's defensive advantages, enhancing overall resilience, modernizing reserve forces, and countering China's "gray zone" tactics — actions that fall short of conventional warfare but aim to gradually erode Taiwan's sovereignty. The island democracy plans to strengthen its position through strategic equipment acquisitions and intensified military training programs, positioning itself as a crucial deterrent against potential Chinese military action in the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region. ◼