Premier Zhu Rong-tai says the government will be looking to spend 3.32
percent of G-D-P on defense next year.

The proposed amount -- which reaches 949.5-billion N-T -- factors in
expenditures for veteran affairs and the Coast Guard.

The Premier says the new calculation method for the defense budget followed
NATO standards - and he says it demonstrates the government's "determination
and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and security."

The budget still requires legislative approval, and represents an increase of
176.8-billion N-T, or a year-on-year rise of 22.9-per cent.

Without factoring in veteran and Coast Guard expenses, the proposed budget
for the Ministry of National Defense alone will increase by 93.8-billion N-T,
a 20.1-percent rise compared with 2025.

Presidential Lai Ching-te in February said his administration would aim to
ensure the defense budget exceeds 3-per cent of GDP.

Lai's comment came as U-S President Donald Trump was making repeated calls
for Taiwan to increase military spending.

The last time defense spending exceeded 3-per cent of G-D-P was in 2009,
during the presidency of Ma Ying-jeou.

Under the D-P-P administrations of Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te, defense
spending has hovered between 2 and 2.5-per cent over the past nine years.