Kuomintang Unveils 'US$11B +N' Special Defense Budget
Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, has unveiled its proposal for a special defense budget. The KMT proposal will only fund the most recent US arms sales package announced by Washington in December, worth around US$11 billion. But the party says it is willing to support future US arms purchases as long as they comply with standard procedures and receive additional legislative approval.
KMT Proposal Allocates Least Funding So Far
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang has unveiled its long-awaited version of the special defense budget, allocating only about a quarter of the funding President Lai Ching-te has asked for to counter Chinese threats.
REPORTER:
The KMT proposal will only fund the most recent arms sales package announced by Washington in December, worth around $11 billion US dollars.
The party says it supports funding Taiwan’s security, but it must come in a responsible, transparent manner.
Wang Hung-wei (LEGISLATOR, KMT):
Where the money is spent and what it would be used to purchase is clearly listed in our bill. We are not writing a blank check. We once again would like to tell the public we are not blocking arms purchases we support national defense.
REPORTER:
The ruling and opposition parties have put forward competing proposals for the country’s defense spending.
Last November, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party announced a record $40 billion US dollars special defense budget for the next eight years. It earmarks funds to create a “T-Dome” missile defense system and acquire 200,000 drones -- on top of the $11 billion US dollar arms package.
So far, the KMT bill allocates the least funding of all. But the party says it is willing to support future US arms purchases -- calling it “Plus N” -- as long as they comply with standard procedures and receive additional legislative approval.
REPORTER:
Previous reporting suggests the KMT was looking to include a punitive clause in their bill for delays in weapons sales.
While it did not make the final version, the party says it will request that the Lai administration ensure weapons are delivered on time.
Lin Pei-hsiang (KMT CAUCUS LEADER):
There’s no penalty clause tied to [foreign military sales] but we will require the government and the defense ministry to ensure all arms purchases and weapons are delivered on schedule.
REPORTER:
This comes as lawmakers from all parties are set to debate the three proposals on Friday.
REPORTER:
They’re hoping to approve the funding before a March 15 deadline set by Washington. While it is unclear right now which bill will prevail, with $11 billion dollars in weapons purchases on the line, it could be a tense few days at the defense ministry.
