HIMARS First Installment Due by End of Month; Defense Minister Wellington Koo Says 'No Issue'

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. To ensure the first installment of 800 million TWD for the HIMARS multi-rocket system is paid by the 31st, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has applied for emergency funding under Article 84 of the Budget Act. Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated today that once the Executive Yuan approves the budget and sends it to the Legislative Yuan, the payment can be processed, ensuring no issues with the deadline. The Legislative Yuan's Finance, Foreign Affairs, and National Defense Committees held a joint meeting today to review the '115th Fiscal Year Central Government National Security Defense and Asymmetric Combat Capability Strengthening Procurement Special Budget.' Regarding reports that a second batch of US arms sales worth 14 billion USD might be delayed, Koo responded that the MND has not received such notification and that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. Regarding the gap between the special budget cap and the Executive Yuan's version, Koo noted that the MND is reviewing which items can be covered by annual budgets or supplemental budgets under the guidance of President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai.