The Ministry of National Defense (MND) says that even though military funding has yet to reach President Ma Ying-jeou’s target, large purchases are still possible.
The statement on Thursday follows a recent report in the Taiwan-based Liberty Times which said that defense spending had not yet reached 3% of the GDP. The report said that 3% was a figure that President Ma Ying-jeou had used during his 2008 presidential campaign.
In a statement on Thursday, the defense ministry said that there are extra funds that would enable the military to make special purchases of weaponry if necessary.
The defense ministry said its budget is determined by a plan that weighs the military’s needs, government finances, and public opinion. The ministry said it will ensure that the military receives the budget it needs to maintain the nation’s defenses.