Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan answered questions on Monday about Taiwan’s projected military budget for this year. His remarks at the legislature coincided with a visit to Taiwan by a delegation from the US Senate’s Armed Services Committee.
When meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen on Sunday, Senator John McCain, who is the chairman of the committee, reiterated support for the Taiwan Relations Act. That act requires the US to provide Taiwan with the weapons it needs to defend itself. McCain also called on Beijing to refrain from doing anything that would threaten the stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Defense Minister Feng on Monday thanked the United States for its continued support. As to the possibility of future arms purchases from the United States, Feng said the military will make a request to purchase weapons once an internal strategy review is complete.
When asked about the target of spending 3% of Taiwan’s GDP or NT$480 billion (nearly US$15 billion) on defense, Feng said the military had yet to reach that target. Feng said that his ministry would actively communicate with the Cabinet to create a budget of at least $400 billion (about US$12.4 billion).
Feng said part of the additional NT$80 billion would be used to improve facilities to help boost recruitment as the military transforms to a professional service.
“Part of the NT$80 billion would be used to take better care of our officers and soldiers, like for example building new administrative buildings and improving housing for soldiers and their families. When the US built their bases in Taichung and Tainan, they even built softball courts and swimming pools. We are already making plans to do that," said Feng.