Hsu Szu-chien: Special Defense Budget Evaluated by Taiwan and US to Ensure All Aspects are in Place
Taiwan's Deputy Minister of National Defense, Hsu Szu-chien, stated that the special defense budget, evaluated jointly by Taiwan and the US, will ensure the simultaneous deployment of command and control systems and weapons. This plan involves investing NT$1.25 trillion from 2026 to 2033 to enhance defense capabilities, utilizing AI and UAV technologies.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 14:39
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 15:01 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 18:11 (3h 9m after Collected)
Central News Agency reporter You Kai-hsiang, Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, April 30) Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien stated today that the special defense budget must ensure that command and control and weapons are in place simultaneously. He also questioned the opposition party's basis for demanding that the special budget be incorporated into the annual budget, asking, "Is it because the enemy threat is not in place, or do they believe that only weapons can achieve precise strikes?" He emphasized that the Executive Yuan's assessment was not only conducted by Taiwan but also jointly with the United States.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense today reported on "Current Status and Promotion Results of the UAV Industry" and "Implementation Plan for the Special Act on Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Capability Procurement (Special Defense Budget)" at the Executive Yuan meeting.
Regarding the special defense budget, Major General Huang Wen-chi, Director of the Strategic Planning Department of the Ministry of National Defense, pointed out in a post-meeting press conference briefing that the Executive Yuan's version involves acquiring 7 items, including precision artillery, through NT$1.25 trillion between 2026 and 2033. The formation of a joint combat capability, like a person practicing martial arts, must possess basic conditions such as "quick thinking, keen senses, swift actions, and continuous energy," and none can be lacking. Therefore, it is divided into four major aspects: command and control decision-making, efficient strike, defense resilience, and all-domain awareness.
For command and control decision-making, Huang Wen-chi mentioned that existing command and control systems are analog, and their upgrade space and processing speed need significant improvement. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce AI assistance and C5ISR to meet modern combat requirements. To achieve decentralized command and control, the Taiwan Tactical Network (TTN) and Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK) will be introduced to form a regional command and control network, enabling rapid intelligence transmission and mission assignment.
For all-domain awareness, Huang Wen-chi pointed out that during wartime, according to the enemy's operational progress, from the stages of enemy departure, transit, and landing at anchorages, various types of UAVs such as Rei-Yuan II, vertical take-off and landing smart types, and coastal surveillance types will be comprehensively utilized to detect the enemy's landing direction early and guide various precision firepower strikes to weaken the enemy's combat power in a timely manner.
For efficient strike and defense resilience, various ammunition will continue to be acquired to strengthen overall air defense, joint anti-landing, and homeland defense capabilities. However, the current inventory of various types of ammunition is insufficient for 120 days, and military production capacity is inadequate. If sea and air lines of communication are blocked, it will be detrimental to the military's ability to sustain operations. Therefore, the expansion of production lines for various ammunition and equipment can establish long-term combat readiness resilience and enhance autonomous capacity. Before production capacity is increased, external procurement of ammunition can immediately meet combat mission requirements.
Regarding the opposition party's stance on incorporating the special budget into the annual budget, Hsu Szu-chien emphasized that if it were included in the annual budget, it would be very slow, leading to "getting weapons but being unable to use them." This is why all aspects must be in place through the special budget. Therefore, if the opposition party demands inclusion in the annual budget, they must provide the Ministry of National Defense with their basis, asking, "Is it because the enemy threat is not in place, or do they believe that only weapons can achieve precise strikes?" because the Executive Yuan's assessment was not only conducted by Taiwan but also jointly with the United States.
Media raised concerns about preventing corruption. Hsu Szu-chien mentioned that "we cannot stop eating for fear of choking" and that there are currently no corruption cases. If there are any, he welcomes reporting and investigation by prosecutors. He added that a one-time budget allocation allows manufacturers to have long-term orders and be willing to invest. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150430
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense today reported on "Current Status and Promotion Results of the UAV Industry" and "Implementation Plan for the Special Act on Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Capability Procurement (Special Defense Budget)" at the Executive Yuan meeting.
Regarding the special defense budget, Major General Huang Wen-chi, Director of the Strategic Planning Department of the Ministry of National Defense, pointed out in a post-meeting press conference briefing that the Executive Yuan's version involves acquiring 7 items, including precision artillery, through NT$1.25 trillion between 2026 and 2033. The formation of a joint combat capability, like a person practicing martial arts, must possess basic conditions such as "quick thinking, keen senses, swift actions, and continuous energy," and none can be lacking. Therefore, it is divided into four major aspects: command and control decision-making, efficient strike, defense resilience, and all-domain awareness.
For command and control decision-making, Huang Wen-chi mentioned that existing command and control systems are analog, and their upgrade space and processing speed need significant improvement. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce AI assistance and C5ISR to meet modern combat requirements. To achieve decentralized command and control, the Taiwan Tactical Network (TTN) and Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK) will be introduced to form a regional command and control network, enabling rapid intelligence transmission and mission assignment.
For all-domain awareness, Huang Wen-chi pointed out that during wartime, according to the enemy's operational progress, from the stages of enemy departure, transit, and landing at anchorages, various types of UAVs such as Rei-Yuan II, vertical take-off and landing smart types, and coastal surveillance types will be comprehensively utilized to detect the enemy's landing direction early and guide various precision firepower strikes to weaken the enemy's combat power in a timely manner.
For efficient strike and defense resilience, various ammunition will continue to be acquired to strengthen overall air defense, joint anti-landing, and homeland defense capabilities. However, the current inventory of various types of ammunition is insufficient for 120 days, and military production capacity is inadequate. If sea and air lines of communication are blocked, it will be detrimental to the military's ability to sustain operations. Therefore, the expansion of production lines for various ammunition and equipment can establish long-term combat readiness resilience and enhance autonomous capacity. Before production capacity is increased, external procurement of ammunition can immediately meet combat mission requirements.
Regarding the opposition party's stance on incorporating the special budget into the annual budget, Hsu Szu-chien emphasized that if it were included in the annual budget, it would be very slow, leading to "getting weapons but being unable to use them." This is why all aspects must be in place through the special budget. Therefore, if the opposition party demands inclusion in the annual budget, they must provide the Ministry of National Defense with their basis, asking, "Is it because the enemy threat is not in place, or do they believe that only weapons can achieve precise strikes?" because the Executive Yuan's assessment was not only conducted by Taiwan but also jointly with the United States.
Media raised concerns about preventing corruption. Hsu Szu-chien mentioned that "we cannot stop eating for fear of choking" and that there are currently no corruption cases. If there are any, he welcomes reporting and investigation by prosecutors. He added that a one-time budget allocation allows manufacturers to have long-term orders and be willing to invest. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150430