The Legislative Yuan has passed a special budget that will provide NT$236.95 billion (US$8.55 billion) in funding over the next five years to buy weapons aimed at improving Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.
The legislation was approved Tuesday morning after all four party caucuses agreed to cut NT$310 million from the NT$237.26 billion budget plan originally proposed by the Cabinet at the end of November 2021.
The special budget — called that because it is not subject to deficit spending constraints of the normal budgeting process and is separately financed — will be used primarily to buy mostly locally made weapons systems to upgrade Taiwan’s anti-air and anti-surface capabilities.
Eight types of weapon systems can be purchased under the special budget: shore-based anti-ship missiles, field and ground-based air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, air-to-ground and surface-to-surface cruise missile systems, high-performance submarines, and weapons systems for Taiwan’s Coast Guard.
The production of the Taiwan-made Tien Kung (Sky Bow), Tien Chien (Sky Sword), and Hsiung Feng (Brave Wind) series of missiles will be supported by the funding, the MND said.
Speaking after the bill was passed, New Power Party legislator and chairwoman Chen Jiau-hua (???) said there was a consensus across party lines on Taiwan’s need to strengthen its development and production of missile systems amid increasing threats and intimidation from Beijing.
The government will have to ensure, however, that every dollar drawn from the special budget will be put to good use and take effective steps to prevent problems, Chen said, alluding to reports of delays or even corruption in past MND projects, without providing specifics.
Tseng Ming-chung (???), a legislator with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), echoed Chen’s view, saying he would ask the country’s National Audit Office to strengthen its monitoring of the special budget allocation.
The KMT hoped that the budget will help Taiwan better address its urgent need to strengthen its defense capabilities, Tseng said.
Lawmaker Liu Shyh-fang (???) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party described the passage of the bill as a sign of Taiwan’s determination to defend itself as China continues its military buildup.
The special budget plan was passed in accordance with legislation in November 2021 that authorized the government to draft a special budget of up to NT$240 billion for arms purchases for 2022 to 2026.
Under that law, the MND is also required to submit a written report to the Legislature every May for a five-year period on progress made in the previous year and the spending plan for the following year.
The Legislature is holding an extraordinary session from Jan. 5-Jan. 28 to discuss budget plans and bills that failed to pass the Legislature during the regular session that ended on Dec. 31, 2021.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel
