The new conscription plan is scheduled to be announced this month, but one change for certain is that military reservists will undergo more intense training next March. The defense ministry says the changes are in response to various factors, including Taiwan-China relations, budget concerns, and more.
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The defense ministry will implement plans to toughen training for military reservists next March. The ministry said earlier this week it plans to send 22,000 military reservists, which is 7,000 more than this year, to undergo a two-week training regimen.
The two-week regimen was launched as a trial this March. The adjusted period is an increase from the current five-to-seven days duration. Under the new training, reservists increase their training hours to sharpen their combat skills, which includes more shooting practices and battle simulations in full gear. The two week training will occur twice over the course of eight years.
Some have said this training is tougher than the conscription training they previously underwent. Men over the age of 18 currently have to serve four months of mandatory military service.
The ministry says the conscription duration will also undergo changes. It plans to announce the changes this month and the new conscription plan will be implemented in 2024.