TPP Caucus: Willing to Discuss Amending Special Act if U.S. Announces Second Phase of Military Sales
Taiwan's Taiwan People's Party (TPP) caucus indicated its willingness to consider amending the Defense Special Act if the United States announces a second phase of military sales. This move aims to strengthen national defense and ensure transparency in military expenditures.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 13:12
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Jun-hua, Taipei, 4th) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu will convene cross-party consultations on the draft Defense Special Act on the 6th. Media reports indicate that the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) caucus plans to propose a version worth NT$800 billion. TPP Caucus Convenor Chen Ching-lung said today that if the U.S. announces a second phase of military sales, notifies the legislature, and provides a letter of offer and acceptance, the TPP is willing to consider incorporating amendments to the Military Procurement Special Act, as long as it enhances national defense.
Han Kuo-yu will once again convene cross-party consultations on the draft Defense Special Act on the 6th. The Kuomintang (KMT) Central Committee insists on NT$380 billion + N, while some KMT legislators support earmarking NT$800 billion.
Media reports suggest that as the KMT caucus's stance is not yet clear, the TPP caucus has prepared two versions: one for NT$400 billion, covering only the first batch of military sales, and another for NT$800 billion, including the second batch of military sales.
Chen Ching-lung stated in an interview that he supports external arms purchases to strengthen national defense, but legislators must scrutinize every military expenditure. Compared to the widely discussed total amount, what is being purchased, whether the price is reasonable, and whether it contributes to national defense are all key areas for oversight.
Chen Ching-lung said that he had explained in the caucus negotiation last week that the Ministry of National Defense's statements on military procurement amounts varied greatly. For example, for the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, the Ministry of National Defense provided the TPP caucus with an amount of NT$137.5 billion in March this year, but in April, the Ministry of National Defense said it was NT$81 billion. The winning bid amount on the electronic procurement website was only NT$73.8 billion, a difference of over NT$60 billion in just one month.
Chen Ching-lung stated that with such a large variation for a single item, "Will NT$1.25 trillion not change? Do we still have to accept it all?" Therefore, the TPP caucus's version hopes to base budget allocation on military procurement items announced by the U.S., with clear items, quantities, and amounts.
Chen Ching-lung pointed out that the first phase of U.S. military sales has already been included in the TPP caucus's version. If the U.S. announces a second phase of military sales, notifies the legislature, and provides a letter of offer and acceptance, the TPP caucus is willing to consider incorporating amendments to the Military Procurement Special Act, as long as it enhances national defense. (Edited by Su Chih-tsung) 1150504
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Jun-hua, Taipei, 4th) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu will convene cross-party consultations on the draft Defense Special Act on the 6th. Media reports indicate that the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) caucus plans to propose a version worth NT$800 billion. TPP Caucus Convenor Chen Ching-lung said today that if the U.S. announces a second phase of military sales, notifies the legislature, and provides a letter of offer and acceptance, the TPP is willing to consider incorporating amendments to the Military Procurement Special Act, as long as it enhances national defense.
Han Kuo-yu will once again convene cross-party consultations on the draft Defense Special Act on the 6th. The Kuomintang (KMT) Central Committee insists on NT$380 billion + N, while some KMT legislators support earmarking NT$800 billion.
Media reports suggest that as the KMT caucus's stance is not yet clear, the TPP caucus has prepared two versions: one for NT$400 billion, covering only the first batch of military sales, and another for NT$800 billion, including the second batch of military sales.
Chen Ching-lung stated in an interview that he supports external arms purchases to strengthen national defense, but legislators must scrutinize every military expenditure. Compared to the widely discussed total amount, what is being purchased, whether the price is reasonable, and whether it contributes to national defense are all key areas for oversight.
Chen Ching-lung said that he had explained in the caucus negotiation last week that the Ministry of National Defense's statements on military procurement amounts varied greatly. For example, for the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, the Ministry of National Defense provided the TPP caucus with an amount of NT$137.5 billion in March this year, but in April, the Ministry of National Defense said it was NT$81 billion. The winning bid amount on the electronic procurement website was only NT$73.8 billion, a difference of over NT$60 billion in just one month.
Chen Ching-lung stated that with such a large variation for a single item, "Will NT$1.25 trillion not change? Do we still have to accept it all?" Therefore, the TPP caucus's version hopes to base budget allocation on military procurement items announced by the U.S., with clear items, quantities, and amounts.
Chen Ching-lung pointed out that the first phase of U.S. military sales has already been included in the TPP caucus's version. If the U.S. announces a second phase of military sales, notifies the legislature, and provides a letter of offer and acceptance, the TPP caucus is willing to consider incorporating amendments to the Military Procurement Special Act, as long as it enhances national defense. (Edited by Su Chih-tsung) 1150504
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is the power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.