Opposition parties have criticized the government’s proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.6 billion) “Special Budget for Enhancing Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Capabilities” as a “blank check” lacking a detailed procurement list. 

Vice Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) clarified Thursday at a Cabinet news conference that the ordinance is not a black box operation. Even if passed, the special budget would still undergo legislative review. On secrecy, he said it still complies with Taiwan’s National Security Act and U.S.-Taiwan security assistance rules, allowing disclosure only after U.S. government announcements. 

With the Legislature delaying reviews of this year’s central government budget and the defense ordinance, Defense Ministry Strategic Planning Director Huang Wen-chih (黃文啓) warned of risks. Current arms deals are hitting payment and delivery peaks, especially drone systems. Delays could let other nations jump the queue amid global defense spending surges. 

“As everyone can see, countries around the world are all increasing their defense budgets this year. That means in the coming years, almost all countries will be making large-scale purchases of these weapons and equipment, many of which are the same models as ours. If we delay signing the contract by even one day, the delay won't be just one or two days, or even one or two months. Once another country's order jumps the queue, we might be waiting years,” Huang said. 

The ministry aims to boost domestic industry and non-red supply chains via the ordinance.