Defense chief says US shipments part of normal exchange, declines specifics

2023-11-20

Defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng declined to give specifics when asked about a recent round of U.S. military shipments. Taiwan has reportedly received 80,000 sets of U.S. military uniforms, along with 1,000 machine guns. Chiu said the shipments were part an exchange, but he said that the contents were confidential. In related news, the defense ministry has drafted regulations to tighten security at military bases. If approved by lawmakers, the act would prohibit the public from using drones or video equipment to record base activity.

Camouflage uniforms and helmets of the U.S. military, as well as 1,000 M240B machine guns, have reportedly arrived in Taiwan over the past half year. The Ministry of National Defense is believed to have accepted the gear for distribution.

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Defense minister
We of course have a complete inventory of the equipment received, but I cannot disclose the quantity or the list of items. Our operations remain ongoing. This is one of our many exchange projects and it’s not about arming up. Perhaps the timing is what’s made people suspicious. But actually we have routine military procurements and we deal with other military issues regularly. This is all part of our normal operations.

Chiu declined to give specifics about the recent shipments received.

In related news, the defense ministry has drafted regulations to enforce security at military bases, to combat China’s gray zone tactics and prevent the accidental leak of classified information. If the rules are passed, the public would need military authorization to use drones at military bases, use equipment to record audio or video, or sketch or document military facilities. Violations will be punishable with up to three years in prison. The draft went up for review at the Legislative Yuan on Monday.

Liu Shih-fang
DPP lawmaker
Who would be held responsible if foreign-operated or externally-operated drones enter military bases?

Chiu Kuo-cheng
Defense minister
If the drone is within our range, we may use force to eliminate it. Base commanders will be authorized to give the order.

Lawmakers expressed support for tightening controls. More discussions will be held on the bill’s details and implementation, to strike a balance between national security and preserving the public’s rights.

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傳美多款軍品陸續運抵台灣邱國正:不方便透露

2023-11-20

傳出美國軍援個人裝備共8萬套、1000挺M240B型機槍，陸續抵台，國防部長邱國正今天表示，強調都會派同仁去見習，至於哪些裝備不便透露。此外要保護機密，國防部擬具條例，規範民眾不能對營區有空拍、錄音錄影等偵查行為，有立委問，境外空拍機怎麼處理，邱國政說依規定可動武排除，由營區指揮官全權決定。

美軍身上配備的迷彩服、頭盔等個裝、以及1000挺M240B型排用機槍，傳出這半年來陸續運抵台灣，由國防部接裝、分配。

[[國防部長邱國正]]
“目前的裝備當然也有掌握，但數量、品名不便透露，工作持續在進行沒有錯，我想這也是交流的項目之一，並沒有說要刻意武裝。這個時間點會讓人家起疑，但事實上我們平常有些軍購，或者軍事方面的問題，都在正常運作”

邱國正沒有透露太多細節。

另外，中國近年來遊走在灰色地帶刺探、也避免民眾無心之舉洩露軍事機密，國防部擬具"軍事營區安全維護條例"，未來民眾未經軍事機關許可，不得在營區內使用無人機、或者攜帶通訊器材進行錄音錄影、描繪紀錄等行為，否則可處3年以下有期徒刑，週一草案在立法院審查。

[[立委(民) 劉世芳]]
“國外來的或境外來的無人機，進入營區，由誰來負責？”

[[國防部長邱國正]]
“無人機如果說在我們範圍以內，我們可以對他動武排除。就授權營區指揮官(下令)。”

敏感時刻，立委們都支持修法管制，但如何在不擾民、兼顧國安取得平衡，法條細節與執行面都需要更精確。

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