Newly sworn-in Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) said yesterday the military would cut its personnel and develop modern weaponry to counter China with more efficient armed forces.
The ministry plans to cut military manpower by an average 15,000 servicemen every year from next year to 2006, said Tang, who was sworn in Friday after stepping down from the post of chief of the general staff.
Tang said the downsizing will begin next year, with the restructuring of military units. "The Army, Navy and Air Force General Headquarters will complete restructuring in accordance with the new Defense Organization Law by the end of 2004."
The three-year troops reduction plan will also get underway that year, Tang said, adding that the number of armed forces personnel will be slashed to about 350,000 by 2006 from the current 400,000.
The three-year manpower reduction plan is the second phase of a military downsizing and modernization package, shelved by former defense minister Wu Shih-wen (
The government will instead concentrate on developing more modern weaponry to raise the island's combat capability, Tang said.
"We must have sufficient defense capabilities to protect the island in the face of military threats from communist China," he told reporters.
China has at least 300 ballistic missiles along its southeast coast targeted at Taiwan, according to Taiwanese estimates. The defense ministry expects the number to reach 800 by 2006.
"Other than Patriot [anti-missile] weaponry, the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is developing low-altitude anti-missile systems to defend the island," Tang said.
The Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile is scheduled to go into service in 2005 to defend central and southern Taiwan.
Taiwan has installed three US-made batteries of PAC-II Plus missiles, the improved version of the first Patriot system, to defend the greater Taipei area.
Regarding his own party membership issue, Tang said he will never voluntarily renounce his KMT membership as he has deep feelings for the party and defense affairs have little to do with partisan concerns.
The KMT has banned its members from joining the DPP-led Cabinet. KMT sources said the party may suspend Tang's party rights as a penalty.
Noting that he has been a member of the KMT for more than 40 years, Tang said he is unlikely to willingly withdraw from the party. "But I would accept any form of punishment handed down by the party," he said, adding that partisan considerations have no role in military-related work.
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