Arms Procurement Act Re-negotiated: Greene Calls for Passing 'Comprehensive' Special Budget
Amidst differing claims on the allocation amount for the Executive Yuan's proposed NT$1.25 trillion special military budget over eight years, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene urged the passage of a 'comprehensive' special budget bill, emphasizing it would send a crucial signal to the international community.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 13:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 13:31 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 02:35 (13h 3m after Collected)
Taipei, April 27 (CNA) The Executive Yuan has proposed an NT$1.25 trillion special military procurement budget over eight years, but there are differing claims on the allocation amount between the ruling and opposition parties. The Legislative Yuan's party caucuses will re-negotiate the special act bill this afternoon. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene stated that it is very important for Taiwan to pass a 'comprehensive' special budget bill, as this sends a very important signal to the international community.
Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu will convene cross-party caucuses this afternoon to negotiate the special national defense act bill, discussing key provisions such as procurement items and allocated amounts. Besides the Executive Yuan's NT$1.25 trillion budget, the Kuomintang (KMT) proposed a 'NT$380 billion + N' version, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) proposed NT$400 billion. Recently, it was reported that the consensus between the KMT and TPP could allow the upper limit to reach over NT$800 billion.
On its Facebook page today, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) published an interview with Director Raymond Greene by the 'China Times,' where he stated that it is very important for Taiwan to pass a 'comprehensive' special budget bill. This not only sends a very important signal to the international community but is also crucial for ensuring Taiwan can obtain all the defensive capabilities it requires.
Greene pointed out that the US has announced several systems, including HIMARS rockets and M109 self-propelled artillery systems, which are all very important. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense also hopes to procure integrated air defense and anti-missile systems, unmanned vehicles, drones, and other items in its special budget.
Greene emphasized that, as seen in the battlefields of the Middle East or Ukraine, demand for these systems is very high worldwide, and both private enterprises and the US government are competing for resources.
Regarding whether the passage of the special national defense budget bill would affect KMT Chairman Cheng Li-wen's trip to Washington, Greene said in the interview that he had not yet received details of Cheng Li-wen's visit and would not comment on hypothetical arrangements. However, he added that passing the special national defense act quickly 'would create a positive atmosphere before her visit to the US.' (Edited by Lin Ke-lun) 1150427
Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu will convene cross-party caucuses this afternoon to negotiate the special national defense act bill, discussing key provisions such as procurement items and allocated amounts. Besides the Executive Yuan's NT$1.25 trillion budget, the Kuomintang (KMT) proposed a 'NT$380 billion + N' version, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) proposed NT$400 billion. Recently, it was reported that the consensus between the KMT and TPP could allow the upper limit to reach over NT$800 billion.
On its Facebook page today, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) published an interview with Director Raymond Greene by the 'China Times,' where he stated that it is very important for Taiwan to pass a 'comprehensive' special budget bill. This not only sends a very important signal to the international community but is also crucial for ensuring Taiwan can obtain all the defensive capabilities it requires.
Greene pointed out that the US has announced several systems, including HIMARS rockets and M109 self-propelled artillery systems, which are all very important. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense also hopes to procure integrated air defense and anti-missile systems, unmanned vehicles, drones, and other items in its special budget.
Greene emphasized that, as seen in the battlefields of the Middle East or Ukraine, demand for these systems is very high worldwide, and both private enterprises and the US government are competing for resources.
Regarding whether the passage of the special national defense budget bill would affect KMT Chairman Cheng Li-wen's trip to Washington, Greene said in the interview that he had not yet received details of Cheng Li-wen's visit and would not comment on hypothetical arrangements. However, he added that passing the special national defense act quickly 'would create a positive atmosphere before her visit to the US.' (Edited by Lin Ke-lun) 1150427