TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The military must adopt new technologies and tactics to become a modern fighting force, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said at a military awards ceremony on Wednesday.

He said Taiwan’s overall defense posture must focus on combat readiness, technological advancement and whole-of-society participation.

“We must integrate uncrewed systems with various emerging combat capabilities to improve our multi-domain denial and resilient defense,” Lai said, per the Presidential Office. 

The Cabinet has proposed an eight-year, NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget. “I look forward to the Legislative Yuan supporting the government's comprehensive plan,” the president said, adding that it would strengthen national security.

Lai said military training should be more closely aligned with combat needs, and every soldier should have a clear understanding of their mission. He reiterated that only by bolstering defense capabilities can Taiwan maintain true peace. 

“Annexation packaged under the guise of peace will inevitably bring endless future consequences to our nation,” Lai said.

Taiwan concluded the computer-assisted phase of the Han Kuang 42 exercise last week. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said the purpose of the two-week drill was to train commanders in decision-making and test joint operations mechanisms.

The live-fire portion of Han Kuang 42 begins in August.