The government should prioritize use of its fiscal 2023 national defense budget — estimated at NT$586.3 billion (US$18.98 billion) — on building the military’s asymmetric combat capabilities and procuring more and better equipment, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) caucus said yesterday.
Taiwan’s standing army is only one-10th the size of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and it is urgent that the military improve its asymmetric warfare capability, TPP caucus convener Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠) told a news conference at the legislature in Taipei.
Despite racking up NT$1.7 trillion in expenditures for purchasing weapons, more than 70 percent of the military’s equipment is antiquated, he said.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
The TPP has been vocal in its criticism of the military’s combat armor, saying the military claimed that its “bulletproof” vest could withstand a 7.62mm bullet, but it proved ineffective against a locally made 5.56mm armor-piercing round.
That means it would not be able to withstand Chinese guns, which use 5.8mm rounds, it said.
The Ministry of National Defense should review its arms purchases and see if they align with the military’s aims, Chiu said.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office via CNA
The government should also improve its indigenous armament program to reduce pressure on weapons and equipment procurement, he said.
The military should endeavor to upgrade soldiers’ equipment and provide troops the equivalent of the US’ improved first aid kits, which the US Army has proven to reduce infantry death rates by 15 to 20 percent, Chiu added.
The annual increase in defense spending has not resulted in a corresponding increase in the military’s capabilities, TPP Legislator Jang Chyi-lu (張其祿) said, adding that the government is still unable to contest China’s “gray zone” tactics.
Jang cited the absence of drone-jamming equipment for garrisons on outlying islands as an example of the government’s failure to deal with Chinese incursions into the nation’s air defense identification zone in the past few years.
There is no justification to increase military spending if there are no visible benefits or results, he said.
Jang also cited the downgrading of the Jhenhai program (震海) next year to further highlight the ministry’s lack of strategic vision in its arms purchases.
“A NT$24.5 billion program, altered on a whim,” he added.
The ministry must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and use limited resources for maximum results, Jang said, adding that it must be transparent and show the public that their tax money is going to good use.
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