TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) firmly denied rumors Wednesday (March 26) that it plans to lengthen mandatory military service beyond the current one-year requirement. The statement came in response to media speculation about a potential return to the previous two-year conscription model that was phased out years ago. Military officials emphasized that the one-year service requirement, reinstated just last year after being shortened to four months in previous reforms, remains the standard with no changes on the horizon. The ministry disclosed that 9,839 young Taiwanese men are scheduled to begin their mandatory service this year under the current system.
At a press briefing, Major General Cheng Chia-chi (成家麒) provided an update on the program's progress, noting that conscripts from the initial cohort under the reinstated one-year system began returning to civilian life on Jan. 18. Of the 6,956 conscripts who entered service in 2024, 2,047 have now completed their military obligation. The general detailed significant enhancements to the training regimen for 2025 conscripts, who will receive instruction on an expanded arsenal including pistols, machine guns, unmanned aerial vehicles, shoulder-fired Stinger missiles, and various anti-armor weapons systems. These additions reflect Taiwan's strategic focus on preparing its citizen-soldiers for asymmetric warfare scenarios.
The defense ministry has implemented a streamlined training structure that organizes the conscription period into a single annual cycle, featuring a comprehensive 13-week advanced training component. Four military units, with the 137th Brigade among them, are scheduled for operational verification exercises in September to assess training effectiveness. Beyond technical military skills, Major General Cheng stressed the importance of psychological preparation in the curriculum. The training now incorporates both patriotic education and mental health components designed to strengthen conscripts' psychological resilience. These elements, according to ministry officials, are crucial for preparing young Taiwanese for both traditional defense operations and civil defense responsibilities in an increasingly complex security environment.
