Attrition: Taiwan And The Enemies Within

Strategy Page ^ | 12/28/13 | Anonymous

[Lower Deck]

Taiwan, like many other nations during the last two decades, is finding that moving from conscription to an all-volunteer military is not easy. For two years now the military has been only able to recruit 30 percent of the soldiers it needs to be all-volunteer by 2014. This is not going to happen until the legislature moves to increase pay and benefits for volunteer soldiers, something taxpayers are not enthusiastic about. If nothing is done to attract more volunteers and conscription is halted on schedule the armed forces will shrink and the ability of the nation to defend itself will diminish.

[Lower Deck]

The author makes a very good point that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan will probably not be necessary. Domestic support for the military is fading for a variety of reasons, and the military itself is fostering the ill-feelings.

[gaijin]

Taiwan has but TWO combat-ready submarines.

Do they take their own defense seriously...?