Premier Cho Reports to Legislature on Arms Purchase: 'Investing in Defense is Investing in Peace'
On the 19th, Premier Cho Jung-tai delivered a special report to the Legislative Yuan on the special budget for the first batch of procurements under the "Plan to Safeguard National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities." He announced five major arms purchase items totaling nearly NT$295 billion, including the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system, and emphasized that "investing in defense is investing in peace." He called on the legislature to approve the budget swiftly and across party lines to enhance the armed forces' combat power and ensure national security.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 16:42
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 17:01 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 21:30 (4h 29m after Collected)
Premier Cho Jung-tai presented a special report to the Legislative Yuan today on the "Drafting of the Special Budget for the First Batch of Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) Procurements under the Plan to Safeguard National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities." He stated that national security should transcend party lines and that investing in defense is an investment in peace, expressing his hope that lawmakers would promptly approve the special budget for the first batch of LOA procurements.
The Legislative Yuan passed the "Special Act on Procurement for Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities" on its third reading on the 8th. The act stipulates a budget ceiling of NT$300 billion for the first batch of military procurement LOAs and NT$4800 billion for the second batch. The Executive Yuan is required to submit a relevant special report within one month of the act's passage, begin drafting the budget after legislative approval, and submit it to the legislature for review within two months.
This afternoon, the Legislative Yuan invited Premier Cho Jung-tai and heads of relevant ministries to present the special report.
Cho stated that the first batch of LOAs being reported to the Legislative Yuan includes five cases, such as the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system. The costs are as follows: NT$80.66573 billion for the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, NT$159.71403 billion for the HIMARS, NT$33.08429 billion for the anti-armor drone missile system, NT$9.92635 billion for the Javelin anti-tank missile, and NT$1.16058 billion for the TOW 2B anti-tank missile, totaling approximately NT$294.99098 billion.
Cho pointed out that for four of the items—HIMARS, M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, Javelin anti-tank missile, and TOW 2B anti-tank missile—Taiwan and the U.S. have already signed the LOAs. The payment deadline for the HIMARS is approaching on May 31. A draft LOA for the anti-armor drone missile system was received from the U.S. on May 16, and negotiations and signing procedures are currently underway.
Cho detailed that the procurement of 60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and associated equipment will span from year 115 to 121 of the Republic of China calendar (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to begin in year 119 (2030). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$16 billion. The procurement of 82 HIMARS sets, 4,320 precision rockets, 420 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, and associated equipment will also span from year 115 to 121 (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to begin in year 119 (2030). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$40.9 billion.
He continued, stating that 2,032 anti-armor drone missile systems will be procured from year 115 to 121 (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to start in year 117 (2028). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$3.6 billion. The procurement of 70 Javelin anti-tank missile systems and 1,050 missiles will span from year 115 to 121 (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to begin in year 120 (2031). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$300 million.
The procurement of 24 TOW 2B anti-tank missile systems and 1,545 missiles will span from year 115 to 120 (2026-2031), with deliveries expected to start in year 118 (2029). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$100 million.
Cho noted that all items in this first batch of procurements have been meticulously planned by the Ministry of National Defense based on operational defense needs, following consultations with the U.S. and confirmation of factors such as sales willingness, export permits, production capacity, and delivery schedules.
Cho stated that national security should be a bipartisan issue and that investing in defense is investing in peace. He expressed his hope that lawmakers from all parties would quickly approve the special budget for the first batch of LOA procurements, so that the armed forces can be more fully equipped to ensure national security and protect the lives and property of the people.
The Legislative Yuan passed the "Special Act on Procurement for Safeguarding National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities" on its third reading on the 8th. The act stipulates a budget ceiling of NT$300 billion for the first batch of military procurement LOAs and NT$4800 billion for the second batch. The Executive Yuan is required to submit a relevant special report within one month of the act's passage, begin drafting the budget after legislative approval, and submit it to the legislature for review within two months.
This afternoon, the Legislative Yuan invited Premier Cho Jung-tai and heads of relevant ministries to present the special report.
Cho stated that the first batch of LOAs being reported to the Legislative Yuan includes five cases, such as the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system. The costs are as follows: NT$80.66573 billion for the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, NT$159.71403 billion for the HIMARS, NT$33.08429 billion for the anti-armor drone missile system, NT$9.92635 billion for the Javelin anti-tank missile, and NT$1.16058 billion for the TOW 2B anti-tank missile, totaling approximately NT$294.99098 billion.
Cho pointed out that for four of the items—HIMARS, M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, Javelin anti-tank missile, and TOW 2B anti-tank missile—Taiwan and the U.S. have already signed the LOAs. The payment deadline for the HIMARS is approaching on May 31. A draft LOA for the anti-armor drone missile system was received from the U.S. on May 16, and negotiations and signing procedures are currently underway.
Cho detailed that the procurement of 60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and associated equipment will span from year 115 to 121 of the Republic of China calendar (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to begin in year 119 (2030). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$16 billion. The procurement of 82 HIMARS sets, 4,320 precision rockets, 420 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, and associated equipment will also span from year 115 to 121 (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to begin in year 119 (2030). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$40.9 billion.
He continued, stating that 2,032 anti-armor drone missile systems will be procured from year 115 to 121 (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to start in year 117 (2028). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$3.6 billion. The procurement of 70 Javelin anti-tank missile systems and 1,050 missiles will span from year 115 to 121 (2026-2032), with deliveries expected to begin in year 120 (2031). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$300 million.
The procurement of 24 TOW 2B anti-tank missile systems and 1,545 missiles will span from year 115 to 120 (2026-2031), with deliveries expected to start in year 118 (2029). The estimated life-cycle sustainment cost is over NT$100 million.
Cho noted that all items in this first batch of procurements have been meticulously planned by the Ministry of National Defense based on operational defense needs, following consultations with the U.S. and confirmation of factors such as sales willingness, export permits, production capacity, and delivery schedules.
Cho stated that national security should be a bipartisan issue and that investing in defense is investing in peace. He expressed his hope that lawmakers from all parties would quickly approve the special budget for the first batch of LOA procurements, so that the armed forces can be more fully equipped to ensure national security and protect the lives and property of the people.