Legislative Yuan Passes NT$780 Billion Military Procurement Bill; Executive Yuan: Will Persistently Complement Defense System

(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 8th) The Legislative Yuan today passed the military procurement bill proposed by the opposition party, setting a ceiling of NT$780 billion and excluding commercial procurements and commissioned manufacturing projects. The Executive Yuan stated that the special bill has finally taken its first step forward, but Taiwan's shield, the AI kill chain, and defense autonomy are interconnected and indispensable. The Executive Yuan will subsequently and persistently strengthen the key combat capabilities required for the defense system, such as national defense autonomy, in a legal and constitutional manner.

On November 27 last year, the Executive Yuan proposed an 8-year special procurement bill draft with a budget of NT$1.25 trillion for strengthening defense resilience and asymmetric combat capabilities, which was sent to the Legislative Yuan for review. Finally, the Legislative Yuan today passed the "Special Act for Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Combat Capabilities Procurement" proposed by the opposition party, with a total budget ceiling of NT$780 billion, of which the first wave of military procurement from the US has a budget ceiling of NT$300 billion, and the second wave of military procurement from the US has a budget ceiling of NT$480 billion, excluding commercial procurements and commissioned manufacturing projects.

Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated via a media group tonight that after 162 days, nearly half a year of continuous explanation and communication between the Ministry of National Defense and the ruling and opposition parties in the Legislative Yuan, some important combat capabilities construction, including military procurement from the US, finally took its first step forward. However, the three pieces of the puzzle – Taiwan's shield, the AI kill chain, and defense autonomy – are interconnected and indispensable.

Li Hui-chih pointed out that the Executive Yuan's original NT$1.25 trillion version was a complete plan based on Taiwan's overall defense needs, formulated after long-term evaluation. However, the version passed by the Legislative Yuan this time is about NT$780 billion, which has a considerable discrepancy from the original plan, and many highly necessary and urgent items could not be included, such as unmanned vehicles and counter-systems, AI-assisted and joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, defense supply chain construction, defense autonomy commissioned manufacturing, and Taiwan-US joint R&D and procurement of equipment systems.

In addition to strengthening defense capabilities, Li Hui-chih explained that the Executive Yuan originally also hoped to expand domestic industrial capacity, drive technological upgrading and industrial development, and further strengthen Taiwan's overall security and combat resilience through defense autonomy and non-red supply chain layout, combined with Taiwan-US cooperation and defense needs. However, relevant content could not be included this time.

Li Hui-chih explained that the seven major defense capabilities, including "precision artillery," "long-range precision missiles," "air defense, anti-ballistic and armored missiles," "unmanned vehicles and their counter-systems," "equipment related to strengthening combat sustainment capabilities," "AI-assisted and joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems," and "Taiwan-US joint R&D and procurement cooperation equipment and systems," are interconnected and crucial to national security and overall defense resilience, and should not be lacking. The need to strengthen defense autonomy capabilities is also urgent. Facing the continuously escalating regional situation and threats, the Executive Yuan will persistently continue its efforts, while also expecting cross-party consensus to be continuously forged to promptly complement the key combat capabilities required for the overall defense system.

She reiterated that strengthening self-defense, enhancing asymmetric combat capabilities, and promoting defense autonomy are important directions for the country's long-term development. The Executive Yuan will continue to build Taiwan's complete autonomous defense capabilities in a legal and constitutional manner, persistently ensuring national security and the democratic and free way of life for its people. (Editor: Chang Ruo-yao) 1150508

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