TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) is set to decommission more than 1,000 items over the next five years, Major General Chen Chun-chung (陳春忠), director of the military’s supply and logistics readiness department, said on Tuesday (Aug. 13).

At a press conference, Chen said the MND had reviewed and identified 1,459 items to be decommissioned between 2024 and 2028, CNA reported. This is expected to save approximately NT$2.3 billion (US$ 70.92 million), he said. 

This includes 469 items from the Army, 147 from the Navy, 786 from the Air Force, and 57 from other units.

The MND held another review meeting in June to assess the accelerated decommissioning of equipment that lacks combat effectiveness. An additional 305 items, including M41D tanks, were added to the list. 

This would potentially save another NT$951 million, Chen added. 

The director said equipment nearing the end of its service life is reviewed for possible upgrades, modifications, or replacement purchases. If the hardware exceeds its service life or is operationally unnecessary, it will be decommissioned unless there is a policy directive or practical need for its continued use, he said.

The news follows Taiwan’s recently announced 2025 defense budget, which is a nearly six percent increase from the previous year. A new high of NT$647 billion out of a total budget of NT$3.13 trillion has been approved for next year. 

“We are determined to enhance our self-defense capabilities and strengthen cooperation with democratic partners to ensure peace and prosperity,” President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said at a Cabinet briefing last week.