🇹🇼 Today, the Legislative Yuan officially approved the first tranche of Taiwan’s Special Defense Procurement Budget, marking an important step forward in strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
As Chair of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, I have worked throughout this process to move the discussion forward and bring all parties back to a path of constructive and rational dialogue. From scheduling hearings and negotiations to committee review, every step has been challenging. But I have always believed that national defense is one of the few issues that should rise above partisan politics.
I am pleased that we ultimately reached bipartisan consensus on the foreign military procurement portion of the package, allowing the special budget to move forward. This represents a significant step in strengthening Taiwan’s deterrence and defense readiness.
At the same time, I must be candid, the outcome is not without shortcomings.
Several originally proposed direct commercial procurement and domestic production programs including unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities, ammunition stockpiling, sustainment, and maintenance—were ultimately excluded. This creates not only capability gaps in Taiwan’s defense posture, but also missed opportunities to strengthen Taiwan’s indigenous defense industry and unmanned systems supply chain.
That is why today’s approval is not the finish line, it is the beginning of the next phase.
I remain hopeful that future initiatives, whether led by the Ministry of National Defense or jointly advanced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense through dedicated unmanned systems legislation, can continue to receive bipartisan support and help close these critical gaps.
National defense is the responsibility of the governing party, and it can also be an achievement for the opposition. More importantly, it is a safeguard for all 23 million people of Taiwan. When Taiwan possesses sufficient strength and resilience, we will be better positioned to engage with the world, from a position of confidence and security.
I will continue working to advance the legislation, policies, and budgets necessary to strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities, expand our indigenous defense industrial base, and accelerate the development of unmanned systems.
Taiwan’s security depends not only on what we buy abroad, but also on what we can build, sustain, and innovate at home.