The Legislative Yuan today passed a supplementary budget bill authorizing up
to $780 billion NT in defense spending for major arms purchases from the
United States.

The funding will support a two-part arms procurement plan focused on
strengthening Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities.

The first phase — capped at $300 billion NT — includes High Mobility
Artillery Rocket Systems, or HI-MARS, M-109-A7 self-propelled howitzers,
Javelin anti-armor missiles, TOW 2B missiles, and Altius-700M and 600 drones.

The second package — worth up to $480 billion NT — would fund a future U-S
arms package that has not yet been formally announced ...

... including counter-drone systems, anti-ballistic and air defense missiles,
and medium- and low-altitude air defense systems ...

... though lawmakers would still need to sign off on the purchases after
Taiwan receives formal offers from the United States.

Lawmakers say the measure is aimed at strengthening Taiwan's national defense
and asymmetric warfare capabilities.

(IG)