00:00The main opposition, Kuomintang, has unveiled its long-awaited version of the special defense
00:04budget, allocating about a quarter of the funds that President Lai Qingda has asked
00:07for to counter Chinese threats.
00:09The KMT proposal will only fund the most recent arms sales package announced by Washington
00:13in December, worth around US$11 billion.
00:16The party says it supports funding Taiwan's security, but it must come in a responsible,
00:20transparent manner.
00:41The ruling and opposition parties have put forward competing proposals for the country's
00:44defense spending.
00:45Last November, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party announced a record US$40 billion spent
00:50in the special defense budget for the next eight years.
00:52It earmarks funds to create a T-Dome missile defense system and acquire 200,000 drones,
00:57on top of the US$11 billion arms package.
01:00The smaller opposition, Taiwan People's Party, proposed a watered-down version shortly after,
01:04capping funding at close to US$13 billion.
01:08So far, the KMT bill allocates the least funding of all, but the party says it is willing to
01:13support future US arms purchases, calling it plus-n, as long as they comply with standard
01:17procedures and receive additional legislative approval.
01:21Previous reporting suggests the KMT was looking to include a punitive clause in their bill for
01:24delays in weapon sales.
01:26While it did not make the final version, the party says it will request that the Lie administration
01:29ensure weapons are delivered on time.
01:48This comes as lawmakers from all parties are set to debate the three proposals on Friday.
01:53They are hoping to approve the budget before a March 15 deadline set by Washington.
01:57While it is unclear which budget will prevail, with $11 billion in weapons on the line, it
02:02will be a tense few days at the Defense Ministry.
02:04Fu Hua Hung and Larry Siano for Taiwan Plus.
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