DPP lawmakers proposed cutting the number of soldiers yesterday and shortening the term for compulsory military service to nine months in a bid to make more efficient use of limited defense resources.
"By doing so, an estimated NT$26 billion to NT$36 billion could be saved. The money could be used to purchase state-of-the-art high-tech military equipment, train military personnel and maintain equipment," said DPP Legislator Lee Wen-chung (
Lee made the remark yesterday morning during a joint press conference held at the legislature by DPP legislators Tuan Yi-kang (
As the military currently has about 385,000 conscripts and volunteer soldiers, Tuan proposed cutting the number to about 256,000, with the army making most of the reductions.
According to Tuan, the army makes up 51 percent, or over 199,000, of total military manpower, costing the government over NT$142 billion a year in salary expenses, or about 54 percent of the annual defense budget.
The navy takes up about 15 percent, or about 56,000, of total manpower, the air force accounts for over 14 percent, or about 55,000, and non-combat personnel over 19 percent.
The ideal number for the navy and the air force, Tuan said, would be 50,000 each.
Although the Ministry of National Defense has planned to scale down the number of soldiers from 385,000 to 340,000 by 2006 and to 300,000 by 2012, Tuan said that the plan might actually serve to increase expenses.
"It's estimated the plan will cost the government about NT$7.8 billion more a year than it does now because the percentage of volunteer soldiers would increase from the current 36 percent to 60 percent," Tuan said.
It would cost an additional NT$24.7 billion if the ministry goes ahead with a plan to give volunteer soldiers a raise of NT$5,000 a month.
To help the military save money, Tuan also proposed shortening compulsory military service from the 22 months to nine months.
The ministry has planned to reduce compulsory service to 14 months by 2006 and to 11 months by 2012.
Although the Cabinet plans to spend NT$700 billion on military procurement over the next 10 years, Chen said that the military should use its limited resources with caution and efficiency.
"With resources limited, it's important to reduce the total number of soldiers, upgrade maintenance capability and personnel training, and purchase more state-of-the-art high-tech defense systems," Chen said.
According to Chen, the military spends an average of NT$54 billion a year on equipment maintenance, or about 20 percent of the annual defense budget.
Arms procurement, costing about NT$58 billion a year, takes up about 22 percent of the annual defense budget.
Hsiao called on the government to take heed of developments in the international political climate to establish an effective military strategy, especially in light of the US-led war in Iraq.
"Developments in international security have changed dramatically since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US. The US-led war against Iraq is also expected to impact the international climate," she said.
Hsiao predicted that the US would keep its position as the world's sole superpower if it eventually wins the war in Iraq.
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