Military

Record-High Special Defense Budget Under Legislative Review Amid Disputes

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By Fuhua Hung/Alan Lu

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The debate over Taiwan’s unprecedented special defense budget is ongoing, with opposition parties criticizing President Lai Ching-te's procurement timeline and asking for more details on how the funds will be spent.

Taiwan’s Special Defense Budget Debate

 

REPORTER:  

Here in the legislature, a 40 billion US dollar special defense budget is under review. Premier Cho Jung-tai is calling for support, saying a strong defense is essential to maintaining peace. But opposition parties continue to strongly criticize the plan.

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan’s cabinet approved the proposed budget on Thursday shortly after it was unveiled by President Lai Ching-te. The defense ministry says the hike in spending comes as China ramps up military activity around Taiwan, which it claims as its territory. Defense Minister Wellington Koo says the budget will be spent on military equipment from abroad and domestic weapons production.

 

Wellington Koo (DEFENSE MINISTER):  

We’ve already completed preliminary coordination with the US and obtained official procurement items and pricing information from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency including details on delivery schedules and related information which shows the US does intend to proceed with the sale.

 

REPORTER:  

The spending plan is meeting resistance. Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, focused on a remark President Lai made during the roll-out speech.

 

President Lai Ching-te (PRESIDENT):  

The Beijing authorities have set a target of completing a military takeover of Taiwan by 2027, accelerating the militarization and preparations for invading Taiwan and continuously increasing exercises and gray-zone harassment around Taiwan.

 

REPORTER:  

Opposition lawmakers questioned why, given this timeline, the proposed defense budget stretches all the way to 2033, if the threat is that imminent.

 

Opposition Lawmaker:  

If our Presidential Office today and our national security agencies have indeed obtained intelligence indicating that China may launch an attack on Taiwan in 2027, then starting next year, in 2026, shouldn't everyone start preparing for a war?

 

REPORTER:  

The smaller opposition Taiwan People’s Party called Lai’s statement a fearmongering tactic and questioned the US track record of delayed arms deliveries.

 

Taiwan People’s Party Member:  

That includes more than [US$6.67 billion] for purchasing 66 F-16V fighter jets. Please deliver them to Taiwan as soon as possible. So far, not a single one has arrived.

 

REPORTER:  

Although Taiwan is looking to purchase big ticket items like American fighter jets, much of the budget will be spent on domestic industries, producing things like drones and missile defense.

 

REPORTER:  

With the legislature set to review the budget, there are now calls for President Lai Ching-te to appear before lawmakers and explain directly how the money will be used.