2023/08/31
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release explaining "the decrease in the national budget and domestic military investment"
Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: August 31, 2023 at 15:20
In response to external concerns that "operations maintenance needs of the national defense budget may require a hidden budget" and "a decrease in domestic military investment", the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (31st) that many countries around the Indo-Pacific region (such as Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, India, and others), in the face of rising tension and hostility in the region, have strengthened national defense and increased budgets in response to enemy threats. For example, the overall budget of the MND for 2024 is NT$606.8 billion, including the annual executive budget of NT$440.6 billion, special budget of NT$94.3 billion, and fund budget of NT$7.19 billion. This is an increased of NT$26.5 billion compared to 2023, a substantial demonstration of our self-defense determination.
The MND pointed out that operational maintenance fee expenditures in response to enemy threats increased by NT$25.4 billion for 2023. As for the procurement of equipment, spare parts, ammunition, and other combat preparation urgently needed, they will be appropriated in 2024 in accordance with regular budgeting by the Armed Forces for combat readiness tasks. There is no such "hidden budget" as the MND will increase training funds to sustain the availability of equipment.
The MND emphasized that the military investment budget (including special budget) for 2024 should total NT$224.9 billion. According to the measures and methods of acquisition and procurement, NT$129.1 billion is appropriated from domestic production, NT$92.5 billion from foreign procurement, and NT$3.3 billion from land revitalization. The amount from domestic production is 1.4 times that of foreign procurement, and each annual budget is reviewed and compiled each year based on scheduled payment needs. Hence, changes in the amount are normal.
The MND further stated that the public portion of the budget proposal for 2024 will be delivered to the Legislative Yuan today (31st), and filed electronically according to the regulations. The MND calls on our nationals for support.