DPP: Military Procurement Budget Cut by 40%, Future National Defense Security at Risk
The Legislative Yuan passed a military procurement special act with a significantly reduced budget. The Democratic Progressive Party expresses strong regret, warning of potential gaps in national defense security.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 18:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 19:02 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 19:13 (11 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter Wen Gui-xiang, Taipei, 8th) – The Legislative Yuan today passed the special act for military procurement through its third reading, reducing the budget cap from NT$1.25 trillion to NT$780 billion. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Li Kun-cheng expressed strong regret, criticizing the opposition parties for disregarding international warnings and defense needs, and 'heavily discounting' the national defense budget. He warned that this not only weakens Taiwan-US mutual trust but could also lead to the withdrawal of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system case due to payment delays.
After a vote, the Legislative Yuan today passed through its third reading the 'Special Act on Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Combat Capabilities Procurement,' which governs military procurement from the US. The total budget cap allocated is NT$780 billion, with the first phase of US military procurement capped at NT$300 billion and the second phase at NT$480 billion.
DPP spokesperson Li Kun-cheng stated that he regrets the opposition parties' consistent disregard for explanations from the Ministry of National Defense and administrative agencies, turning a deaf ear to warnings from the US and the international community. He believes this not only restricts Taiwan's defense capacity but could also create gaps in future national defense security.
Li Kun-cheng said that since the special act for military procurement was officially proposed by the Executive Yuan in November last year, the opposition parties blocked it in the程序委員會 (Procedure Committee) more than 10 times and broke down cross-party negotiations 4 times. During this period, 3 Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) expired, prompting the US to exceptionally extend the deadline. Now, if payment for the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system is not made on schedule by the end of May, the entire case will be withdrawn. These delays and obstructions are severely eroding Taiwan-US mutual trust and weakening national security.
Li Kun-cheng emphasized that the opposition parties' attitude towards the special act for military procurement has consistently been one of delay and obstruction, even leading to internal disagreements and infighting within their own parties. Now, unable to withstand the pressure of public opinion, they have passed a version that is discounted by 40%. This is not just a discount in money, but a discount on the comprehensive system for defending Taiwan, a discount on Taiwan's declaration to the world of its autonomous defense and its commitment to regional peace.
He stated that the version now passed will seriously affect the 'Shield of Taiwan' that the Ministry of National Defense previously envisioned for the special act, as well as the overall combat capability planning required for future advanced national defense. It even affects the development of Taiwan's defense industry, which could become its 'second sacred mountain' protecting the nation.
Furthermore, Li Kun-cheng said that during this period, surrounding countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, are increasing their defense budgets and enhancing their self-defense capabilities in response to China's escalating military threats. Yet, Taiwan, also a member of the first island chain and Indo-Pacific security, has not even completed the review of this year's annual defense budget, and now even the special budget has been heavily discounted.
He criticized the opposition parties' stubborn, delaying, and passive attitude towards enhancing self-defense. Despite the regret and heartbreak, the ruling party will not give up seeking other proactive solutions to fill the defense gaps overlooked and discounted by the opposition, absolutely not allowing any compromise to national security and public welfare.
He called on the opposition parties to quickly pass the special military procurement budget to avoid affecting military procurement cases like the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system whose LOAs are soon to expire.
After a vote, the Legislative Yuan today passed through its third reading the 'Special Act on Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Combat Capabilities Procurement,' which governs military procurement from the US. The total budget cap allocated is NT$780 billion, with the first phase of US military procurement capped at NT$300 billion and the second phase at NT$480 billion.
DPP spokesperson Li Kun-cheng stated that he regrets the opposition parties' consistent disregard for explanations from the Ministry of National Defense and administrative agencies, turning a deaf ear to warnings from the US and the international community. He believes this not only restricts Taiwan's defense capacity but could also create gaps in future national defense security.
Li Kun-cheng said that since the special act for military procurement was officially proposed by the Executive Yuan in November last year, the opposition parties blocked it in the程序委員會 (Procedure Committee) more than 10 times and broke down cross-party negotiations 4 times. During this period, 3 Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) expired, prompting the US to exceptionally extend the deadline. Now, if payment for the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system is not made on schedule by the end of May, the entire case will be withdrawn. These delays and obstructions are severely eroding Taiwan-US mutual trust and weakening national security.
Li Kun-cheng emphasized that the opposition parties' attitude towards the special act for military procurement has consistently been one of delay and obstruction, even leading to internal disagreements and infighting within their own parties. Now, unable to withstand the pressure of public opinion, they have passed a version that is discounted by 40%. This is not just a discount in money, but a discount on the comprehensive system for defending Taiwan, a discount on Taiwan's declaration to the world of its autonomous defense and its commitment to regional peace.
He stated that the version now passed will seriously affect the 'Shield of Taiwan' that the Ministry of National Defense previously envisioned for the special act, as well as the overall combat capability planning required for future advanced national defense. It even affects the development of Taiwan's defense industry, which could become its 'second sacred mountain' protecting the nation.
Furthermore, Li Kun-cheng said that during this period, surrounding countries, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, are increasing their defense budgets and enhancing their self-defense capabilities in response to China's escalating military threats. Yet, Taiwan, also a member of the first island chain and Indo-Pacific security, has not even completed the review of this year's annual defense budget, and now even the special budget has been heavily discounted.
He criticized the opposition parties' stubborn, delaying, and passive attitude towards enhancing self-defense. Despite the regret and heartbreak, the ruling party will not give up seeking other proactive solutions to fill the defense gaps overlooked and discounted by the opposition, absolutely not allowing any compromise to national security and public welfare.
He called on the opposition parties to quickly pass the special military procurement budget to avoid affecting military procurement cases like the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system whose LOAs are soon to expire.