Kuomintang Party Proposes 380 Billion TWD Defense Budget

The Kuomintang legislative caucus held a meeting to discuss the National Defense Special Budget Act. This proposal follows claims regarding a 1.25 trillion TWD budget that allegedly lacked specific content or projects. The party maintains that it has historically led efforts in supporting military procurement. The party stated the decision was made to ensure a unified stance on national defense. KMT representatives stated they would immediately initiate legislative review procedures for a potential 14 billion USD second-phase military procurement. The party expressed skepticism regarding the timing and transparency of previously discussed 14 billion USD arms deals. The party questioned the urgency of previous reports regarding imminent 14 billion USD arms purchases that have not yet materialized. The party claims to be the primary supporter of Taiwan's national defense capabilities despite long-standing criticisms. The party said its long-standing role in leading defense-related initiatives. The party said its long-standing support for Taiwan's defense strength compared to other political factions. The party expressed a need to clarify its stance regarding pressure from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and US congressional members. The party is responding to criticisms from the Democratic Progressive Party regarding its stance on US-Taiwan relations and defense spending.