The Taiwan People's Party Press Release 2026.4.26
A NT$1.25 trillion military procurement cannot be an "omakase" meal—where we pay blindly for whatever is served.

 

 

Today, the Taiwan People's Party hosted the defense forum, "From Procurement to Combat Readiness: Reviewing Defense Decision-Making & Oversight Mechanisms." We conducted a comprehensive review of the government's proposed NT$1.25 trillion special military budget, covering everything from the direction of our military buildup and procurement details to budget oversight.

Taiwanese taxpayers' money is finite. With the annual defense budget already breaking record highs, the Lai administration is now serving up an extra NT$1.25 trillion "no-menu" special budget. If the people are expected to foot the bill, we must act as the gatekeepers!

 

 

TPP Chairman KC Huang emphasized that while the TPP supports strengthening national defense, supporting defense does not mean abandoning oversight. A truly responsible Legislature ensures every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely, rather than letting military procurement turn into an unquestionable political slogan.

 

 

Former Navy Captain and Commanding Officer Huang Cheng-hui pointed out that Taiwan's military buildup should focus on "quality over quantity." Resources should be invested in unmanned vehicles, AI, and distributed warfare, rather than falling into the myth that "more is always safer."

 

 

Senior Researcher of Chinese Strategic Studies Society Dr. Chang Ching stated bluntly that the lack of transparency and imbalanced procedures in this NT$1.25 trillion procurement equates to asking the Legislative Yuan to sign a blank check blindfolded. Society should not be swayed by the emotional blackmail of "if you don't support this, you don't love Taiwan."

 

 

Former Ministry of National Defense Inspector Lu Te-yun reminded us that military purchases must not only serve foreign interests but, more importantly, meet Taiwan's actual defense needs. If they fail to genuinely enhance combat readiness, they will only waste our limited resources.

 

 

Senior military journalist Shih Hsiao-wei highlighted a crucial issue: training. With our armed forces continuously responding to Chinese military aircraft and vessels, training has been forced to shift toward mission response. This "mission diversion" squeezes out actual combat training hours. No matter how many weapons we buy, if our personnel are not properly trained, the equipment will be ineffective.

 

 

What Taiwan needs is defense investment that truly protects our homeland, safeguards our troops, and meets the demands of future warfare—not a hasty, opaque, and unproven "blank-check" procurement plan.

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During the presidential election, Founding Chairman KP was the first candidate to declare that the defense budget should reach 3% of GDP. We support strengthening national defense and making necessary military purchases, but we will never abandon our duty of oversight. Every cent of taxpayer money must be spent exactly where it is needed.

We urge the Lai administration to responsibly face the Legislative Yuan and the people: provide clear explanations and honest accountability, rather than using emotional blackmail and red-baiting smear tactics to cover up black-box decision-making.