Taiwan Cabinet Approves NT$294.9B Special Military Budget, Seeks Fast-Track Approval Amid Payment Deadline

(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Lai Yu-hsuan) The Executive Yuan today passed a special military procurement budget, adopting a year-by-year allocation for the first batch of military purchases from the United States. The total planned expenditure is approximately NT$294.99 billion, with NT$8.8 billion to be allocated this year. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that with the May 31 payment deadline for the HIMARS rocket system approaching, he hopes for cross-party support to pass the special budget in the shortest possible time. On May 8, the Legislative Yuan passed the 'Special Act on Procurement for National Security and Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities Enhancement,' setting a budget cap of NT$300 billion for the first batch of Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) and NT$480 billion for the second batch. The Executive Yuan submitted a special report to the legislature yesterday and held an ad-hoc meeting today to pass the 'Fiscal Year 115 Central Government Special Budget Proposal for National Security and Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities Enhancement,' which will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. In a press release following the meeting, the Executive Yuan noted that Premier Cho stated in the meeting that although the original special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion was reduced to a ceiling of NT$780 billion, the military's determination to defend national security and protect citizens' lives and property remains unchanged. Therefore, based on the special act, the government is allocating the first batch of US military procurement on a yearly basis, with a total required funding of about NT$294.99 billion, starting with a special budget proposal of approximately NT$8.8 billion for fiscal year 115. The necessary funds will be raised through debt, in compliance with the 'Public Debt Act.' Premier Cho pointed out that the items in this special budget include five systems: the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, anti-armor drone missile systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and TOW 2B anti-tank missiles. These are intended to appropriately enhance military operational capabilities while considering the project's timeline. He stressed that especially with the May 31 payment deadline for the HIMARS system, it is crucial to fully strengthen combat readiness in the shortest time. Premier Cho requested that as the special budget is sent to the legislature, the Ministry of National Defense must clearly articulate the necessity and benefits of the procurement and actively communicate and coordinate with the Legislative Yuan. He also expressed hope for support from all lawmakers to ensure the budget's swift passage, to jointly defend national security and maintain regional peace and stability. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150520