President Lai: Building a More Resilient Defense System and Standing Firmly Behind the Military

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter You Kai-xiang, New Taipei, June 16) President Lai Qingde visited the Guandu Command Post today, stating that its Houshan Camp plays a vital role in defending the Taipei metropolitan area, safeguarding security with professionalism and responsibility. The government will stand firmly behind the military, continuously enhancing combat training and leveraging technology to strengthen asymmetric warfare capabilities in response to rapidly changing regional dynamics, thereby building a more resilient national defense system.

With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, President Lai first inspected the Air Force's 3rd Radar Squadron and the Navy's Songshan Radar Station on Yangming Mountain, concluding his visit with an encouragement tour at the Houshan Camp of the Guandu Command.

Upon arrival at Houshan Camp, President Lai received a briefing at the command building. Soldiers then demonstrated the use of the Team Awareness Kit (TAK), explaining the Guandu Command’s defense zones, methods of securing low-altitude airspace using systems such as the Avenger missile and drones, missile coverage ranges, and strategies to prevent enemy forces from advancing up the Tamsui River to attack the political and economic core.

In his speech at the Guandu Command, President Lai noted that earlier visits to the Air Force’s 3rd Radar Squadron and the Navy’s Songshan Radar Station revealed that military personnel are monitoring aerial movements around the clock, providing timely and accurate identification of targets in northern waters and real-time intelligence reporting—critical support for national defense readiness.

President Lai emphasized that Houshan Camp bears the critical responsibility of defending the Taipei metropolitan area. Through 24/7 Tamsui River defense readiness units and the Taipei Combat Team, it conducts anti-infiltration, anti-sabotage, and anti-ambush operations to ensure regional security. In addition to routine preparedness, the unit also undertakes disaster relief missions in areas including Tamsui, Keelung, Xindian, and Shuangxi, demonstrating exceptional dedication. He expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the entire population, thanking the troops for their professionalism and commitment in safeguarding the democratic and free way of life for 23 million people.

President Lai also mentioned that the Guandu Command will establish a drone squadron in July. He reviewed the Altius 600M attack drone, which achieved excellent results in live-fire tests in early June, highlighting concrete progress in the military’s adoption of new technologies to counter emerging threats. In the face of rapidly evolving regional conditions, he stressed the need to continuously improve training and use technology to enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities, building a more resilient defense system.

President Lai reaffirmed that the government will remain the military’s strongest backer. Despite significant cuts to the special defense budget, the government will not abandon its commitment and will instead propose special legislation or use supplementary budgets and increased annual public expenditures to support the military. This ensures the smooth advancement of defense equipment and infrastructure projects, fulfilling the goal of defense self-reliance.

The Bali Beach in New Taipei, Taipei Port, and the Tamsui River estuary are collectively known as the 'Iron Triangle of Defense' protecting the political and economic core. The distance from the river mouth to Guandu Bridge is only 8 kilometers, and the political center—including the Presidential Office—is just over 10 kilometers away. Failure to defend this critical frontline could allow enemy forces to advance up the river and directly assault Taipei’s core, with unimaginable consequences. The Guandu Command has conducted repeated drills in the Tamsui River estuary and surrounding areas during past Han Kuang military exercises. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150616