Premier Cho: US 'Very Disappointed' After Special Defense Budget Cut to NT$780 Billion

(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Lin Ching-yin) The Executive Yuan had proposed a special defense act for NT$1.25 trillion over eight years, but the version passed by the Legislative Yuan in its third reading on the 8th capped the budget at only NT$780 billion. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated today that significant resistance was encountered during the discussions of the special act and budget, and the final approval of NT$780 billion has left the US side very disappointed. The Legislative Yuan invited the Premier, the head of the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of National Defense, and other relevant department heads this afternoon to report on the preparation of the 'Special Budget for the Central Government's Fiscal Year 115 Plan to Safeguard National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities' and to answer questions. During questioning, Legislator Chung Chia-pin asked Premier Cho about the impact of excluding commercial and domestic procurement on Taiwan's defense, noting that the world is watching how Taiwan strengthens its national security. He asked whether Cho was pessimistic about filling the gap after only NT$780 billion was approved, or if he viewed the passage of the special military procurement act positively. Cho Jung-tai responded that much resistance was indeed encountered during the process. When Chung pressed, 'Is there anything positive?' Cho said that after the NT$780 billion was passed, some positives were gained, at least partially, but it also left the US side 'very disappointed.' Chung Chia-pin stated that the passage of the special act demonstrates Taiwan's determination to defend its sovereignty and self-defense. However, he noted that the current opposition majority in parliament remains stuck in a traditional mindset focused solely on military sales, excluding commercial purchases and domestic production, and restricting procurement to weapons currently in service and manufactured by the US military, making it difficult to meet future battlefield demands. Chung also added that Taiwan's greatest fear is that if China employs drone swarm tactics against Taiwan in the future, using large numbers of low-cost drones to exhaust Taiwan's high-value interceptor missiles, it could create a defense breach. This, he said, is Taiwan's biggest worry. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150520