After receiving lukewarm reviews in regard to recent military reforms from US officials who came secretly to view the recent Hankuang Exercise, Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming (湯曜明) promised a full report on the matter by June, Presidential Office sources said yesterday.
The Hankuang Exercise No. 18 is the nation's largest annual military exercise.
One of the purposes of the exercise this year was to test out the new reforms. Apparently, neither President Chen Shui-bian (
"President Chen is concerned over whether there have been any concrete achievements," the source said.
The source revealed that "generals" from the US Pacific Command had paid a secret visit to see the computer war gaming of the Hankuang No. 18.
"The US generals apparently felt the new national defense Laws have thus far failed to improve the situation of Taiwan's military," the source said.
"However, they still felt that Taiwan's military has an advantage over the PLA in terms of air superiority and intelligence," he added.
A senior advisor at the NSC told the Taipei Times that the council recommended a US-style periodic review of the national defense system.
"Taiwan's army has upgraded successfully and carried out the reconstructing. For the time being, their capabilities are sufficient to maintain stability over the strait," the NSC advisor said.
Meanwhile, the President Office source stressed that the intensity of the military exchanges continues to increase.
"The visit paid by generals from the US Pacific Command has further demonstrated the US concern and emphasis on Taiwan's security," the source said.
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