TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) presented a special defense budget proposal to Taiwan's parliament on Monday (Jan. 19), seeking up to NT$1.25 trillion (around US$39.7 billion) for military procurement through 2033. The Legislative Yuan's (立法院) Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee (外交及國防委員會) received Koo's report on the draft "Special Budget for Enhancing Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Capabilities" (強化防衛韌性及不對稱戰力計畫採購特別條例). The Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) plans to submit a non-confidential written report to legislators in the afternoon.
The ministry's report outlines procurement plans for M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), ALTIUS drones, and anti-tank systems, including FGM-148 Javelin and TOW 2B missiles. The procurement includes over 200,000 drones and more than 1,000 unmanned boats for Taiwan's defense forces. Anti-armor systems feature 1,554 ALTIUS-700M and 478 ALTIUS-600ISR drones for reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
The MND emphasized procurement of 70 Javelin anti-tank missile systems and 24 TOW 2B systems, along with various air defense systems. The budget focus includes AI-assisted C5ISR command-and-control systems, expanding ammunition production lines, and joint Taiwan-U.S. development projects. The ministry stressed that China's recent military exercises have destabilized the Taiwan Strait, underscoring the need for the special budget to rapidly enhance combat capabilities.
The ministry urged bipartisan support for the special budget, which allocates up to NT$1.25 trillion from 2026 to 2033. The budget aims to procure precision artillery, drones, and countermeasure systems while constructing a high-tech, multi-layered missile defense system called T-Dome. The ministry highlighted the integration of combat platforms, sensors, and command systems to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.5)