The Ministry of National Defense says the first installment for a HIMARS
multiple launch rocket system purchase must be paid by May 31st, or the deal
will be cancelled.

Officials told lawmakers today the payment, worth around 800-million NT,
cannot be delayed further.

The U.S. side had already agreed to push back the original March 30 deadline,
but made clear in its final letter that May 31 is non-negotiable.

If the case is cancelled, Taiwan would have to restart the entire procurement
process, which could take more than eight months and would likely come at a
higher price.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo told the Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs
and National Defense Committee that the special defense budget, which covers
HIMARS and three other arms procurement casesm has not yet passed.

One lawmaker said approval by May 31 appears unlikely, citing the upcoming
Trump-Xi summit and the legislative speaker's planned overseas trip as
complicating factors.

(PB)