TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited the Navy’s Xiaoxueshan radar station in Taichung on Thursday, thanking personnel for protecting the nation year-round.
Lai said their work protects the public and helps ensure “peace of mind” in Taiwan, per the Presidential Office. He received a mission briefing and observed maritime monitoring operations.
The Xiaoxueshan radar station provides “eyes” for Taiwan to defend itself, Lai said. The president later used a rapid command system to speak with officers and sailors aboard the Cheng Kung-class frigate Cheng Ho, thanking them for safeguarding the waters around Taiwan.
Lai urged the public and lawmakers across party lines to recognize the military’s burden, saying troops defend the nation from remote mountain posts to coastal positions. He called on the Legislative Yuan to review and pass the proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.6 billion) special defense budget and the general budget, arguing that delays would expose Taiwan to greater risk and slow efforts to boost combat readiness.
The president’s comments follow the defense ministry’s warning that a delay in review would stall three major US arms offers. Letters of offer and acceptance for TOW missiles, Javelin missiles, and M109A7 self-propelled howitzers are set to expire by March 15.
Under arms sales procedures, the deals could be canceled or costs could rise if Taiwan does not sign the draft pricing by the deadline. Unless Taiwan requests an extension, it will have to make an initial payment for the weapons by March 31.
