00:00A special defense budget is under review in Taiwan's legislature,
00:04with all three major parties proposing their own version.
00:07The ruling Democratic Progressive Party wants a $40 billion U.S. budget, spending eight years.
00:13The Taiwan People's Party proposed $13 billion,
00:17and the Kuomintang outlined an $11 billion plan,
00:20with additional flexible funding for future arms sales.
00:24For his part, Defense Minister Willington Kuh voiced support for the ruling DPP's plan,
00:28the cabinet's proposal.
00:30We also want to promote the budget's plan, which is the most important part.
00:36We hope that we can continue to trade with the foreign countries,
00:42and find a company.
00:44We also hope that the government's plan will be able to get the support of everyone.
00:51Kuh says the U.S. supports the DPP version,
00:54and its funding will strengthen Taiwan's air defense systems
00:57and boost domestic drone production while removing China from its supply chain.
01:02But the main opposition, Kuomintang, is pushing back.
01:05They say the DPP plan will span multiple presidencies
01:08and squeezes funding from public spending.
01:11They refer to past incidents of corruption in arms purchases
01:14and domestic defense spending,
01:16saying a budget this big could create opportunities for graft.
01:20Their version, based on U.S. letters of offer and acceptance,
01:23could mean funds would be freed up as deals come through.
01:27We support the U.S. military military supply chain.
01:29We support the U.S. military supply chain.
01:32We have to do the U.S. military supply chain.
01:32In the first stage, U.S. military supply chain.
01:35We have to do the U.S. military supply chain.
01:37The smaller Taiwan People's Party also joined the debate,
01:41saying that Taiwan's defense spending has already exceeded 3% of its GDP for 2026,
01:47surpassing Japan and South Korea.
01:49They want a one-year plan, arguing against what they view as indefinite military expansion.
02:00The legislature's review kicked off on Monday,
02:03and two more sessions are planned later this week.
02:06It comes just as Taiwan sees movements in long-delayed weapons purchases from the U.S.
02:11Top defense officials visited the U.S. both for a handover ceremony for MQ-9 drones
02:17and to visit an F-16 factory.
02:20They said the delivery of 66 fighter jets will begin the third quarter of this year.
02:25Lufi Lee, Yi Sun Chen, and Alan Lu for Taiwan Plus.
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