On August 20, 2026, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te visited the 234th Brigade of the Republic of China Army and announced that starting from July 1, in addition to the existing allowances for the first and second type combat units, a new allowance will be added for the third type combat units, emphasizing the enhancement of benefits as a demonstration of respect for the professionalism of the military and the continuous strengthening of national defense capabilities.
President Lai Ching-te visited the Qingquan Camp in Taichung in the afternoon of the 19th, where the 234th Brigade held live fire exercises. He praised the training achievements of the military and thanked the soldiers for their hard work. Upon arrival, President Lai Ching-te first watched a video showcasing the live-fire exercises of the units in Taichung and then listened to the soldiers’ sharing of their experiences, before awarding group bonuses.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of China, President Lai Ching-te encouraged the military in his speech, saying that just last Friday, the Han Kuang 42 exercises had just concluded. He expressed his happiness to be at the 234th Brigade that day, listening to the experiences of six comrades. He acknowledged the hard work of the soldiers during the long and intensive training sessions and noted the significant achievements and satisfaction they have gained from the training.
President Lai Ching-te pointed out that even the public’s initial complaints turned into praise for the military as a result of their training efforts. He expressed his gratitude and gave the soldiers applause for their accomplishments. He emphasized that by continuously preparing and sacrificing, the country gains strength; with added strength, comes increased security, regional peace, and stability. He firmly believes that national security relies on a strong defense, which in turn relies on respected and worry-free military personnel.
President Lai Ching-te stated, “Therefore, since taking office, I have been continually adjusting the benefits of military personnel. Last year, we approved increased allowances for voluntary service personnel, combat units, combat support, electronic warfare, cyber warfare, and this February, we also included the unmanned aerial vehicle units in receiving combat unit allowances.”
He further announced that following a comprehensive assessment by the Ministry of National Defense, taking into account operational needs and the professional characteristics of duties, starting from July 1 of this year, in addition to the existing allowances for the first and second type combat units, a new allowance will be added for the third type combat units. Officers and soldiers below the brigade level who provide sustained operational capabilities will receive an additional NT$4,000 per month.
Moreover, he mentioned that starting from July 1 of this year, conscripted soldiers in combat units will also receive allowances similar to those of voluntary service personnel.
President Lai Ching-te stated that, in addition to the ongoing adjustments to military allowances, starting from July this year, civil servants in the military will receive professional and managerial allowances of NT$2,000 each. From January next year, there will be an additional 4% salary increase. This marks the fifth time both during former President Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure and his own that military personnel have received salary adjustments.
President Lai Ching-te emphasized that the government’s continual adjustments to salaries, allowances, and benefits aim to reflect through a fairer system the responsibility, risks, and expertise shouldered by military personnel. This differentiation in treatment based on job roles and responsibilities aligns with the nature of the military’s missions and manpower needs.
He stressed that the improvement in benefits signifies the country’s respect for the professionalism of the military and serves as an essential investment in strengthening national defense capabilities. He expressed his hope that every soldier guarding the country can feel the nation’s support and acknowledgment, enabling them to focus on training while taking care of themselves and their families.
President Lai Ching-te reassured that the government will remain the strongest support for all, continuously enriching defense resources, enhancing service environments, improving benefits and welfare. Lastly, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude once again to all for their hard work, wishing everyone good health and successful missions.