The worsening manpower shortage has prompted warnings that it will undermine the armed forces’ combat readiness.

Taiwan’s military is facing a worsening manpower crisis as the numbers volunteering to serve continue to shrink. The trend has raised concerns that the shortfall could undermine combat readiness even as the government plans record levels of defence spending in response to US lobbying and the growing strength of mainland China’s military. According to a recent report by the Legislative Yuan’s Budget Centre, the overall personnel fill rate – the ratio between authorised and actual troop numbers –…

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