Defense Special Act Passes With Cuts; KMT Urges Adding Arms Purchases to Annual Budget

The Legislative Yuan passed the National Defense Special Act but excluded commercial purchases and commissioned productions. Premier Cho Jung-tai suggested proposing another special act or an additional budget. KMT Caucus Whip Fu Kun-chi urged the Executive Yuan to incorporate the required defense funds into the 2027 general central government budget instead. Fu emphasized that special budgets should only be for emergencies and not normalized for long-term 8-to-10-year projects, though the KMT supports strengthening national defense.