Taiwan’s legislature agreed to send the special defense budget to a plenary session next week. The move marks a significant step in the island’s delayed military spending plan. Lawmakers reached a cross-party consensus after months of political gridlock. The agreement signals cautious progress on urgent national security funding.
The Legislative Yuan confirmed that committees will jointly review competing proposals. Lawmakers will examine the Executive Yuan’s draft alongside a version from the Taiwan People’s Party. The TPP proposal allocates NT$400 billion for selected weapons systems. Meanwhile, the Chinese Nationalist Party plans to submit its own version before Thursday’s deadline.
Importantly, party leaders agreed not to file motions of reconsideration. This decision should reduce procedural delays during committee and plenary reviews. As a result, legislators expect a more efficient debate process. However, disagreements over scope and financial transparency remain unresolved.
President Lai Ching-te introduced the NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget in November. He proposed spreading the funding over eight years. The plan includes major arms purchases from the United States. It also supports domestic defense production and industrial modernization efforts.
Nevertheless, opposition lawmakers argue that the proposal lacks sufficient detail. They say the administration has not clearly explained procurement terms or projected costs. Consequently, they initially refused to deliberate on the bill. Even so, recent negotiations reopened formal discussions.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo warned that several US arms offers will expire on March 15. These letters of offer and acceptance cover anti-tank missiles and artillery systems. The potential purchases include Javelin missiles and M109A7 self-propelled howitzers. Therefore, Koo urged lawmakers to grant early signing authority. He stressed that delays could lead to cancellations or higher replacement costs.
At the same time, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. She accused the government of failing to brief lawmakers fully. In response, Premier Cho Jung-tai defended the executive branch’s role in procurement matters. However, he welcomed constructive cooperation from opposition parties.
Beyond procurement concerns, the special defense budget carries broader political implications. Officials argue that it will strengthen deterrence and enhance defense autonomy. They also say it can stimulate Taiwan’s domestic defense industry. Consequently, the proposal blends security priorities with long-term economic strategy.
Lawmakers also discussed arrangements for the president’s upcoming State of the Nation Address. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu proposed a structured three-stage format. The plan includes a presidential report, caucus responses, and a consolidated reply. However, parties still disagree over time allocation and representation formulas.
Looking ahead, the plenary session will test cross-party coordination. Rising regional tensions add urgency to the debate. Expiring US procurement deadlines further increase political pressure. Ultimately, lawmakers must decide whether to approve the special defense budget without further delay.
