Taiwan's Defense Ministry to Hold Airsoft Shooting Competition for Reservists to Strengthen Societal Resilience

(Central News Agency reporter Wu Shuwei, Taipei, June 6) To strengthen the resilience of the entire society's defense, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) will hold the "2026 National Airsoft Shooting Competition – Northern Preliminary" at Fuxinggang on July 25. The competition is primarily for reservists, and registration will open on June 10. The firearms for the competition will be provided by the organizer, using T91 airsoft guns and electric guns produced by domestic manufacturers.

The MND posted information about the "2026 National Airsoft Shooting Competition – Northern Preliminary" on the National Defense Education website on June 3. The Reserve Command also disclosed the event information on its official Facebook page on June 5.

According to the Northern Preliminary rules, starting from the year 2026, the national airsoft shooting competition will target reservists. It plans to hold preliminary rounds in the northern, central, and southern regions, with the top 32 semi-finals and finals scheduled for 2027. The Northern Preliminary will be held on July 25 at the National Defense University's Fuxinggang campus. The competition firearms and BB pellets will be uniformly provided by the organizer. The target participants are primarily reservists, regardless of gender, forming teams of five. The registration period is from June 10 to June 30.

An informed source told CNA that holding the airsoft competition follows the recommendations of the Presidential Office's Committee on Societal Defense Resilience. By promoting airsoft shooting competitions and setting up situational simulation courses, the aim is to enhance reservists' physical fitness, teamwork, adaptability, and shooting skills, thereby building Taiwan's societal defense resilience.

It is understood that the competition firearms provided by the organizer are T91 airsoft guns produced by a domestic toy gun manufacturer, modeled after the military's current T91 combat rifle. Participants must use the T91 electric airsoft gun and the gas-powered T91 airsoft gun. The competition includes individual and team events, featuring not only fixed-point shooting but also Close Quarters Battle (CQB) scenarios.

Liao Ying-hsi, a member of the Presidential Office's Committee on Societal Defense Resilience, stated that holding the competition will increase the public's enthusiasm for national defense, thereby improving the shooting accuracy of reservists. This will lead to genuine defense strength and a truly resilient Taiwan, moving beyond mere slogans.

Competition advisor Pi Yi-chun noted that foreign militaries have also achieved good results using airsoft guns for training. Airsoft guns are inexpensive, highly safe, and have realistic appearances and accessories, which can help develop shooters' muscle memory. He said the competition promotes national defense education and establishes concepts of firearm safety and shooting skills.

However, a reservist cadre told CNA that local reserve commands have repeatedly surveyed reservist cadres about their experience in survival games and shooting expertise, seemingly to mobilize them to participate in the competition. The cadre expressed concern that the original intention of the competition was to allow ordinary reservists to become familiar with rifle shooting. If only personnel from the reserve cadre system participate, it might defeat the purpose of the competition. He urged for broader publicity to encourage general reservists to sign up. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 1150606