Taiwan Legislator Suggests Military Support for US Mine-Sweeping; Ministry of National Defense Cites Insufficient Tonnage for Long-Distance Voyages
On April 13, 2026, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu proposed that Taiwan's military could express willingness to assist the United States in mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien responded that while the idea was "creative," it had not been considered due to the insufficient tonnage of Taiwan's mine-sweepers for long-distance voyages and the heavy defense burden around Taiwan. Director-General of National Security Bureau Tsai Ming-yen added that Taiwan's situation differs from other US allies, requiring assessment of its own threat dynamics before deploying forces. The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee discussed issues related to Chinese vessels illegally entering Taiwan's territorial waters. Chief of Staff of the Navy Chu Hui-min stated that mine-sweeping capabilities and smart mine development are "ongoing" and "under effort."
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 17:38
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 18:01 (23 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 18:36 (34 min after Collected)
On April 13, 2026, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu suggested that Taiwan's military could express its willingness to support the United States in mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien stated that the idea was "quite creative, but we haven't thought about it that way," primarily because Taiwan's mine-sweepers have insufficient tonnage for long-distance voyages. Additionally, Taiwan faces a heavy combat readiness burden in its surrounding areas, with frequent incursions by Chinese vessels. Therefore, the suitability of deploying Taiwan's limited mine-sweeping capabilities abroad still needs evaluation. The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee invited Director-General of National Security Bureau Tsai Ming-yen and Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien, along with representatives from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ocean Affairs Council, to deliver a special report on "Reviewing reconnaissance loopholes, progress in establishing technological surveillance equipment, and improving measures regarding recent illegal intrusions of Chinese small vessels into Taiwan's territorial waters," followed by interpellations. Legislator Wang Ting-yu noted that former US President Trump had complained about allies not assisting in mine-sweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, questioning whether it was appropriate for Taiwan's military to express willingness to support the US at this time. Director-General of National Security Bureau Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that this is a hypothetical issue, and Taiwan's situation differs from other US allies. Taiwan must assess its own enemy dynamics before deploying forces, making the conditions more complex. Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien reiterated that the idea was "quite creative, but we haven't thought about it that way," emphasizing that logistics and security are key. He added that the Navy's mine-sweepers are not large enough to sail to the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Taiwan's surrounding areas bear a heavy combat readiness load, constantly facing harassment from Chinese warships. Thus, whether the already limited mine-sweeping capabilities are suitable for deployment abroad still requires evaluation. Wang Ting-yu also inquired about the sufficiency of the Navy's mine-sweeping capacity. Chief of Staff of the Navy Chu Hui-min responded, "It is continuously being done." Regarding mine-laying capabilities and the development of smart mines, Chu Hui-min replied, "We are working on it."