The defense ministry announced new plans for its annual Han Kuang military exercises this year.
The new plans will combine the exercises of the navy, air force and army in the third stage. The first stage will be held in April with the focus on a computer-assisted command center. Soldiers will then undergo an exercise in August and defense drills will be held in October and November.
The exercises number only 38, which is lower than the 41 of the past. But defense official Lu Kun-hsiu says this doesn’t mean there has been a reduction in budget or size of the drills.
"This figure spans two years. There is definitely no reduction in the number of exercises," said Lu.
Defense ministry spokesman David Lo said this year’s drills are more difficult and more powerful as they integrate the navy, army and air force exercises.