Taipei: Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has approved a supplementary budget bill aimed at acquiring military equipment from the United States, setting a spending ceiling at NT$780 billion (US$24.8 billion).

According to Focus Taiwan, the legislative approval, secured by the opposition parties Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), established two main funding provisions. The first provision allocates NT$300 billion for arms sales already sanctioned by the U.S. as of December 17, 2025. The second provision allocates NT$480 billion for an anticipated arms package, which is expected to be announced by Washington at a later date.

Despite the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government's request for NT$1.25 trillion, the bill passed with a 59-0 vote, while 48 members abstained in the 113-seat Legislature. The disbursement of funds for both provisions is subject to legislative review once Taiwan receives letters of offer and acceptance (LOAs) for specific weapons systems from the U.S.

The approved U.S. weapons package includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, TOW 2B missiles, Altius-700M and 600 drones, alongside Javelin anti-armor missiles. Future acquisitions are expected to fall into categories such as "soft- and hard-kill integrated counter-drone systems," anti-ballistic and air defense missiles, and medium- and low-altitude air defense systems, as well as replenishment of wartime stockpiles of anti-armor missiles.

Although partisan disagreements remain, KMT and TPP legislators expressed support for forthcoming arms sales. However, the rejection of the Cabinet's NT$1.25 trillion proposal means the budget does not cover major local defense industry initiatives, including enhancing Taiwan's drone production capabilities.