On 14th January, the defense ministry once again endorsed the special defense budget proposed to be funded between 2026 and 2033 in the value of NT 1.25 trillion (USD 39.5 billion).

According to CNA, the ministry intends to achieve its capabilities via such avenues as foreign military sales, commercial procurement, and local production. Seven categories of weapons, such as air defense, anti-ballistic, and anti-armor missiles, will be purchased in the budget. 

The ministry indicated that the M109A7 self-propelled gun, HIMARS, and ALTIUS loitering rockets, Javelin and TOW 2B anti-armor guns, which were ordered previously, have already undergone the US procedure of Congress notification. 

The ministry disapproved a statement made by TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang, who said that the cost of purchasing US weapons would be NT300billion, claiming that the rest of the money would be used to sell arms abroad, instead of making Taiwanese weapons. 

The ministry said that there are four more cases of arms procurement being expeditiously reviewed within the ministry. It was meticulously and scientifically calculated that these things should be bought, it said. Nevertheless, the definite amounts may not be revealed until they are revised and passed by the Legislative Yuan.

TPP and KMT legislators already blocked a budget review and a draft amendment of the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures 8 times. 

Huang arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday morning following a whirlwind trip to the US, where he had a chance to meet the officials of the US National Security Council and American Institute in Taiwan in Washington.