Taiwan’s security officials are exploring the possibility of enlisting foreign nationals into its armed forces as the island faces increasing pressure from China and a growing manpower shortfall.
According to the reports, lawmakers and security experts are deliberating over the creation of a “foreign legion” — an idea inspired by similar models in other countries, including the United States.
Retired Adm. Richard Chen Yeong-kang, a legislator from the nationalist party Kuomintang, or KMT, suggested that the scheme could mirror the US model, where foreigners who serve for a designated period—such as two years—could be granted citizenship upon completion of their military service.
However, Chen noted that the formal consultation process on this idea has yet to commence, signaling that the proposal remains in its infancy.
At present, foreigners are not permitted to join Taiwan’s reserve forces. Official statistics reveal that the island is home to approximately 750,000 foreign workers out of a total of 950,000 foreign residents.
Professor Alexander Huang from Tamkang University in Taipei said that the idea of recruiting migrants into the military is still in its early stages.
Huang pointed to a notable decrease in the volunteer force, which shrank by 12,000 personnel between January 2022 and June 2024.
He said that the number of professional troops—those under contract—fell from nearly 165,000 in 2022 to 153,000 in just two years, as reported by the Legislative Yuan Budget Center. The Legislative Yuan is Taiwan’s national parliament.
However, Huang cautioned that such a proposal would require thorough discussions at multiple levels of government before any formal decisions are made.
That said, Taiwan has already taken steps to strengthen its defense capabilities, drawing inspiration from Ukraine’s response to Russia’s invasion by enhancing its civil defense efforts and increasing military spending.
Last year, Taiwan extended its mandatory military service from four months to one year. Yet, experts warn that these measures alone may not be sufficient to keep pace with the evolving security environment, especially with China continuing to assert its claims over Taiwan.
Taiwan Faces Rising Military Personnel Shortages
The suggestion to enlist foreigners comes as Taiwan faces increasing pressure to bolster its defense efforts. Legislators are caught in a tense battle over the national defense budget, which is under threat of significant cuts.
These financial challenges are compounded by mounting pressure from the United States, where President-elect Donald Trump has stated that Taiwan must contribute more towards its own security in light of its reliance on American protection.
Taiwan’s defense capabilities are also strained by its rapidly declining birth rate, one of the lowest in the world. The demographic shift is expected to severely limit the number of available conscripts in the coming years, making the concept of a foreign legion an appealing solution.
Competition from the civilian sector, with its higher salaries and additional benefits, is another factor contributing to the diminishing appeal of joining the military for young people.
Another issue is the growing trend of volunteer soldiers and officers opting for early discharge, even when faced with financial penalties.
In 2020, 401 personnel applied for early discharge and agreed to pay the fees required to leave. However, that number surged to 1,565 last year, as per SCMP, citing the data obtained through a legislative inquiry submitted to the island’s cabinet last week.
Taiwan’s volunteer soldiers are considered the primary fighting force in the event of conflict due to the more extensive training they receive, unlike the mandatory service personnel, who serve for a set period of one year.
Wan Mei-ling, a legislator from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, expressed concern over this growing trend, calling it “alarming.” She warned that the continued personnel shortages could weaken Taiwan’s defenses amid rising military threats from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The defense ministry’s data revealed that the military’s staffing ratio has been “steadily declining for years.” According to the ministry’s figures, the staffing ratio—the proportion of available positions filled—dropped from 88.57% in 2020 to 78.6% in 2024.
Wan noted that this ratio is now well below the generally accepted minimum operational standard of 85%. She called on the defense ministry to urgently review and address the early discharge issue to ensure the island’s defenses remain intact.
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