Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced new increases in military specialty pay for critical operational roles. Minister Wellington Koo briefed the Legislative Yuan on the adjustments, which aim to reward drone operators, cyberwarfare personnel, tactical air controllers, and electronic reconnaissance teams.
The announcement follows legislative revisions passed in June that mandated a uniform pay increase from NT$15,000 to NT$30,000 for all volunteer soldiers. The Executive Yuan challenged the law, citing constitutional concerns, and filed for a temporary injunction. As a result, the uniform raise will not appear in the upcoming fiscal budget.
Instead, the ministry plans targeted pay increases for specialized combat and tactical roles. Category one payouts will rise from NT$5,000 to NT$12,000, and category two payouts from NT$3,000 to NT$7,000. Drone operators, fire support teams, pilots, and anti-aircraft units qualify for these additional payments.
Cyberwarfare personnel will receive an NT$10,000 monthly increase. Coverage will expand from 15 percent to 30 percent of the unit. Tactical air control units will see wages rise from NT$5,100 to NT$11,200. Electronic surveillance units will receive a raise from NT$4,100 to NT$13,600.
The Military Security Brigade, responsible for counterintelligence and domestic security, will also get higher pay. These increases aim to improve retention and recognize the difficulty of their duties. The ministry is also considering a command sergeant major rank to encourage non-commissioned officer retention.
Voluntary military recruitment increased by 2,000 personnel as of October. Officials said the pay raises help attract skilled personnel and boost operational readiness. Analysts note that these adjustments strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities while targeting technical fields.
The ministry will continue monitoring outcomes and may further adjust military specialty pay to address emerging needs in key units.
