Does the Civilian Minister Understand Defense? Exclusive Interview with Ku Li-hsiung: Inside Taiwan's Defense Reform Through 'Five Key Issues'

Taiwan's defense reform is entering a crucial turning point, with three main axes advancing simultaneously—civilian leadership of the military, a reversal in arms procurement logic, and the restructuring of reserve mobilization—all of which directly affect Taiwan's actual combat readiness when facing threats.

Ku Li-hsiung is the first civilian defense minister with substantive significance since the implementation of the 'Two Defense Laws.' After two years in office, he has evolved from initially relying on General Mei Chia-shu, Chief of the General Staff, for support, to now establishing a functional division of labor with senior military leaders, ensuring civil-military affairs and operational command are clearly separated. This lawyer, who once served as a transport platoon leader, is pushing forward asymmetric warfare and reserve reforms amid political pressure from a fragmented legislature. What the public most wants to know is how he actually interacts with the military.

The shift in military procurement thinking is equally critical: from adopting commercial-grade drones instead of strictly military-spec models, to military police units purchasing U.S.-made anti-drone systems mounted on civilian pickup trucks, the core principle has been simplified to one rule—adopt whatever system best suits Taiwan and Penghu’s defense environment. Ku Li-hsiung even revealed that some ordinary-looking container trucks seen on city streets in the future will actually be military vehicles, indicating that 'de-identification' mobile deployment is quietly taking shape.

Reserve reform remains equally challenging: Exercise Han Kuang 42 will mobilize over 5,000 reservists, testing combat effectiveness at full brigade scale. Ku Li-hsiung admitted he is personally reviewing each brigade one by one, attempting to resolve the long-standing dilemma of precise mobilization.

However, budget gridlock is slowing everything down. The NT$210 billion special budget for unmanned vehicles remains unresolved in the legislature, with no consensus between ruling and opposition parties, and even the 2026 annual budget has not yet passed. In media interviews, Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung frankly stated that the war in Ukraine has proven unmanned systems suffer extremely high attrition rates during conflict. Taiwan must establish domestic production capabilities to eliminate risks from red supply chains. His greatest concern is that certain legislative proposals may slash the entire unmanned vehicle budget to far below required levels, thereby restricting aerial, surface, ground, and underwater equipment alike. 'Such legislation cannot be accepted,' he warned.

Meanwhile, Exercise Han Kuang 42 has fully shifted toward 'multi-domain denial,' and Taiwan-U.S. military exchanges are 'deeper than the public imagines.' While Ku Li-hsiung only expressed 'immense gratitude' regarding the specific assistance provided by the U.S. Pacific Command, the answer may lie hidden in the subtle evolution of tactics and strategies observed in past exercises.

[Face-to-Face] Can Ku Li-hsiung Control the Military? Initially Protected by Mei Chia-shu — Two Years of Civilian Leadership at the Defense Ministry

Ku Li-hsiung is the first civilian defense minister with real substance since the 'Two Defense Laws' took effect. After two years in office, the public continues to wonder whether he can truly assert authority over the military. From initially depending on General Mei Chia-shu for protection to now building a tacit understanding with senior officers—where civil administration and military command operate separately—the evolution of this relationship is far more complex than outsiders perceive. How does this former transport platoon leader, now a lawyer, push forward asymmetric warfare and reserve reform under intense political pressure in a divided legislature? His answers lie within this rare face-to-face interview… Click to read the full report.

[Face-to-Face] The Military No Longer Rigid in Arms Procurement — To Discuss Procurement with Ku Li-hsiung, You Need Real Solutions

Since taking office, Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung has driven a major shift in procurement thinking, no longer insisting all equipment meet strict military specifications. From adopting commercial-grade drones to certain units directly using civilian vehicles, the military’s logic has quietly changed. The core principle is now singular: adopt whatever system best fits Taiwan and Penghu’s defense environment. The Military Police Command plans to procure U.S.-made anti-drone systems via commercial channels, mounting them on standard pickup trucks. Is this a coincidence or a trend? In interviews, Ku Li-hsiung revealed that some seemingly ordinary container trucks on city streets in the future will actually be military vehicles, signaling a move toward 'de-identification' in mobile deployment. How exactly has procurement logic been reshaped? Details are in the report… Click to read the full report.

[Face-to-Face] Will Ku Li-hsiung Be Recalled as a Transport Platoon Leader? Precision Mobilization Challenges Weigh on the Defense Minister

Exercise Han Kuang 42 is set to take place in 2026. This year’s highlight is the mobilization of over 5,000 reservists to test Taiwan’s reserve combat strength at full brigade scale. Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung admitted the reserve system indeed needs strengthening—from precise mobilization and recall systems to integrating new weapons training—each stage presents challenges. Using his own experience as an example, he highlighted a long-overlooked reality: after discharge, individuals’ expertise often changes completely. How should they be reassigned during recalls without wasting talent? Ku Li-hsiung revealed he is personally reviewing each brigade one by one, seeking solutions within the mobilization management system… Click to read the full report.

[Face-to-Face] Can Taiwan Afford to Wait? Ku Li-hsiung Worries Legislative Gridlock Over Unmanned Vehicle Budget Restrains Military Capabilities

The NT$210 billion special budget for unmanned vehicles remains stalled in the legislature, with conflicting versions from both sides and no consensus reached—even the 2026 annual budget has not yet passed. In media interviews, Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung frankly stated that battlefield experiences from the Russia-Ukraine war show unmanned systems are consumed at an extremely rapid rate during war. Taiwan must build domestic production capacity to exclude risks from red supply chains. His biggest concern is that a certain legislative version might compress the entire unmanned vehicle budget to a figure far below requirements, restricting aerial, surface, ground, and underwater equipment alike. 'Such legislation cannot be accepted,' he emphasized. While battlefields worldwide continue to validate the combat value of unmanned systems, Taiwan’s budget deliberations remain unresolved… Click to read the full report.

[Face-to-Face] What Has the U.S. Pacific Command Done for Taiwan? Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung Speaks

Exercise Han Kuang 42 will take place in 2026. The biggest difference this time is a complete shift from the past 'beachfront decisive battle' model to 'multi-domain denial,' incorporating dynamic scenario responses into core training so commanders face real battlefield pressures rather than following scripts. Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung revealed that the depth of Taiwan-U.S. military exchanges is 'deeper than the public imagines,' and while he only expressed 'immense gratitude' for the assistance provided by the U.S. Pacific Command across various levels, offering no further details, the answer may lie hidden in the subtle transformations seen in Han Kuang exercises over the years… Click to read the full report.