2024/12/25
MND Issues Statement on the Impact of the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures on National Defense
MND News Report
Date: 20:00, December 25, 2024
On December 25, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated that the scale of the defense budget was based on hostile threats and force buildup needs. China’s growing defense spending in recent years has posed a threat to peace and stability in the region and the Taiwan Strait. Only with public support can the ROC military swiftly establish a formidable defense with a stable financial source. By reinforcing our combat capabilities, we can deter adversaries and support both friendly and allied nations in securing their national security.
The MND noted that the passing of the amendment to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures could reduce the defense budget by 28%, approximately NT$80 billion, according to the Executive Yuan’s initial estimates. Such a reduction would seriously impact the ROC military’s force buildup and readiness. In regard to mid- and long-term military investment, the reduction would prevent major weapons from being upgraded and could possibly cause delays or cancellations in military procurement due to payment difficulties. The domestic development of advanced weapons, equipment, or technology would also be severely impeded.
As for operational maintenance costs, the MND has stated that the reduction would directly impact the availability of main weapons, acquisition of training munitions, procurement of fuel, and other matters. Consequently, the ROC military would be unable to effectively respond to PLA ships and aircraft circling Taiwan. In addition, operational readiness and combat capabilities would also be severely hampered by equipment failures, as well as a lack of fuel and spare parts. Furthermore, the MND is currently drafting plans to improve military pay and benefits to bring military units up to strength. In the event that the defense budget is reduced due to amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, the consequences would deal a blow to morale and complicate recruitment.
The MND has noted that the current defense budget accounts for approximately 2.4% of the GDP. As countries in the region move to increase their defense spending, our country’s move to reduce defense spending to less than 2% could cause the international community to perceive us as lacking the resolve to defend ourselves against hostile threats, instead opting to cut defense spending. Such a case would raise the question of who among the international community would be willing to come to our aid if we were to be invaded.
The MND stressed that national security concerns the well-being and survival of the people and that national defense is the foundation for the nation’s future development. The MND hopes that the nation may continue to prosper peacefully and urges the public to support an increase in defense spending to strengthen our nation’s defense.