TAIPEI (Reuters – Taiwan considers extending mandatory military service beyond its current four month period. The announcement was made by Defence Minister Chiu Ko-cheng on Wednesday. It comes amid renewed discussions about China’s military threats and the war in Ukraine.

Although Taiwan is gradually moving from being a military conscript to becoming a professional volunteer force, China’s increasing pressure on Taiwan and Russia’s invasion in Ukraine have raised questions about ways to increase civil defense.

Chiu replied to lawmakers’ questions and stated that military service expansion proposals were being considered. A plan for this year would also be put forth.

He stated, “We need to consider the enemy situation as well as our defense operations from the perspective of military power.”

Chiu stated that changes to the law would only take effect one year after being proposed.

The previous governments of the Democratic Progressive Party, the ruling party, and the main opposition Kuomintang, had reduced compulsory service to four months from the maximum two-year period to the current three-months. These moves were made in order to please younger voters, as tensions between Taipei, Beijing, eased.

Although Taiwan’s army is smaller than that of China, strategists believe superior training can give them an edge during a conflict. A programme is being developed by the government to improve reservist training.

Taiwan President TsaiIngwen supervises an extensive modernisation program, championing “asymmetric warfare” in order to improve the mobileness and agility of Taiwan’s military forces.

Lee Shihchiang, the head of the ministry’s strategic planning division, spoke at the same session with Chiu. He said that he expects the first U.S.-made MQ-9 Reaper drones to enter service with Taiwan in 2025. They can fire missiles and are capable of operating at very long distances.

China’s military activity near the island has increased in recent years to try to press Taipei into accepting Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

China doesn’t recognize Taiwan’s democracy-elected government nor any claim of Taiwanese sovereignity. It has also never given up the right to use force to take the island into Chinese hands.