TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US has expressed support for Taiwan increasing its defense spending to more than 3% of GDP this year and 5% by 2030, CNA reported.
The Cabinet has allocated NT$949.5 billion (US$30 billion) for this year’s defense budget, which accounts for 3.32% of GDP and represents a 22.9% increase over last year. The budget mainly covers the Ministry of National Defense’s operating expenses, the procurement of new fighter jets, and programs to enhance naval and air capabilities.
In November, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said the government plans to allocate NT$1.25 trillion for a special military budget from this year through 2033, pending approval by the Legislative Yuan. The budget aims to strengthen Taiwan’s precision strike capabilities, defensive strength, and support the development of the local defense sector.
However, political deadlock has stalled the proposal. Earlier this month, KMT and TPP lawmakers, who hold a majority in the Legislative Yuan, blocked the budget review for the 10th time. They cited unclear procurement details and noted the Cabinet had not included pay raises for military personnel in this year’s overall government budget.
The KMT said that it supports strengthening Taiwan’s defense but stressed its role in monitoring spending allocations and ensuring detailed procurement plans. The party noted that some US arms deliveries to Taiwan have been delayed, including F-16V fighter jets, Harpoon missiles, and MK-48 heavy torpedoes.
US lawmakers have voiced concern about the move by the KMT and TPP. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan criticized the two parties, saying that cutting or failing to review defense spending would strengthen China’s threats against Taiwan.
Sullivan also criticized a forum held in Beijing with CCP representatives on Tuesday, saying the KMT was expanding its engagement with China. At the event, KMT Policy Committee Deputy Director Yang Yung-ming (楊永明) and KMT Deputy Chair Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) said the party will continue promoting Taiwan’s exchanges and economic cooperation with China.
Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego said weakening Taiwan’s defenses amid rising Chinese threats would be unwise and urged KMT and TPP lawmakers to promptly review the defense budget.
Lyle Goldstein, director of the Asia Program at Defense Priorities, said political divisions in Taiwan are deepening. He noted that Lai’s administration has faced significant obstruction from opposition parties, adding that their influence is expanding.
The report said the US plans to sell Taiwan up to NT$639 billion in new arms, including Patriot missiles, the integrated air and missile defense battle command system, and the advanced surface-to-air missile system. The procurement will be included in the NT$1.25 trillion budget.
TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) led a delegation to the US in January to meet with officials from the US National Security Council and the American Institute in Taiwan’s Washington office, focusing on Taiwan’s defense procurement budget and US tariffs.
Following the US trip, Huang said much of Taiwan’s special defense budget was not allocated for US arms purchases. The Cabinet and Ministry of National Defense countered the claim. Vice Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said NT$300 billion is for domestically produced weapons, while the rest is for foreign procurement.
Steve Yates, a senior research fellow for China and national security policy at the Heritage Foundation, warned that opposition parties’ moves to block the military budget could raise Taiwan’s security risks. He added that China would view the two parties’ actions favorably.
