President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) says that future trainees will learn skills that meet the needs of modern warfare, using new weapons such as drones. Tsai was speaking at a military event in Chiayi, southwestern Taiwan on Friday.
Tsai was referring to those who will be conscripted starting in 2024, and whose conscription period has been extended to one year. The change in conscription policy was announced in late December.
The event also saw the debut of a new helicopter drone known as the Capricorn, which participated in active combat readiness drills for the first time. The domestically developed reconnaissance drone was used to demonstrate Tsai’s new vision of modern combat training.
Tsai pointed to the importance of adjusting the current national defense system and the reservists program in the face of modern threats. She said she is confident that the national army is a strong force with the ability to defend freedom, democracy and regional peace.