Republic of China (Taiwan), Quadrennial Defense Review, 2017

View reports from other years: 2017 | 2013 | 2009

 

 

The Ministry of National Defense (MND), in compliance with Article 31 of the National Defense Act, is required to submit a Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) within ten months after each presidential inauguration. In addition to this introduction, the 2017 QDR consists of seven chapters: Strategic Environment, Strategic Guidance, Force Buildup, National Defense Reform, Defense Industries, Civil Protection Operations, and Cooperation with partners, structured as the figure below.

 

The United States and Mainland China continue to be the primary influences in the current Asia-Pacific strategic situation with a “co-opetition relationship” existing between the two powers. Unresolved territorial disputes over islands and waters in the East China Sea (ECS) and the South China Sea (SCS), instability on the Korean Peninsula, arms competition among East Asian countries, growing non-traditional security threats, and potential changes in U.S. Asia-Pacific policy are major factors shaping the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region, and present challenges to our national security. 

 

Mainland China continues to invest heavily in military modernization, vigorously undertaking military force transformation and reforming into theater commands, and is gradually acquiring force projection capability west of the Second Island Chain, adding uncertainties to the security environment in the region. In recent years, our country has faced constrains in defense financial resources and manpower, difficulty in acquiring advanced weaponssystems, increasing threats to cyber security, decreasing defense awareness in the public, and increasing incidents of complex emergencies, all of which require a serious and careful response.

 

In order to counter the military threats and challenges to our national security, ensure our national survival and development, and safeguard our people's lives and properties, the Ministry of National Defense has developed five strategic goals: “Safeguard the Nation,” “Cultivate a Professional Military,” “Realize Defense Self-Reliance,” “Protect People's Wellbeing,” and “Strengthen Regional Stability,” along with approaches to achieve those goals. MND has adopted military strategic concepts of “resolute defense, multi-domain deterrence” to lead our direction of force buildup and establish a credible defense force. Additionally, the Ministry has established a “development strategy for defense industries” to develop advanced technologies, establish capacities to research and produce weapons systems and equipment indigenously, and spur the development of national defense capabilities and economic growth.

 

With a focus on integrating joint operational capabilities, the ROC Armed Forces continues to improve its joint operational training, establish precise logistic capabilities, enact policy reforms for mobilizing reservists, and generate a warrior spirit in the force, in order to ensure successful accomplishment of defense missions for our nation. Moreover, the MND established force development priorities, and will achieve force development goals through effective integration, allocation, and employment of defense resources, and by revising weapons system acquisition processes.

 

The MND is dedicated to all reform efforts, including perfecting its military recruitment system, optimizing personnel quality and enhancing the image of service members, caring for their wellbeing, refining the national defense legal system, and streamlining administrative functions, in order to enhance service members professionalism and organizational efficiency. 

 

Envisioning future trends and requirements for joint operations, the MND has been pooling interagency resources to push for indigenous development and production of weapon systems in three core fields of aerospace, shipbuilding and information security in order to promote integration of our R&D in defense technologies and relevant industries, and to achieve the goal of “mutual support between national defense and economic development.”

 

For improving efficiency of disaster relief operations and providing concerted assistance efforts, the MND has cooperated closely with the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) to protect our fishermen in our territorial waters. Furthermore, the MND will assign its naval and air assets to assist in emergency assistance and transport operations.

 

Through military exchanges, international humanitarian assistance operations, and cooperation on anti-terrorism with our partners and friendly countries, the MND has taken part in bilateral and multilateral dialogue mechanisms for security and cooperation in order to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

 

To read the full report, download the PDF below.