It is rumored that the U.S. government will use the "presidential appropriation power" for the first time to directly supply arms worth US$500 million (approximately NT$15.3 billion) to Taiwan free of charge, similar to the model of military aid to Ukraine.

Defense Minister Qiu Guozheng confirmed that the case has already been discussed, and it was not included in the "military purchase" funds.

(Photo by reporter Zhu Peixiong)

[Reporter Chen Yufu/Taipei Report] Foreign media "Bloomberg" recently reported that the U.S. government will use the "presidential appropriation power" for the first time to directly supply weapons worth US$500 million (approximately NT$15.3 billion) free of charge, following the model of military aid to Ukraine to Taiwan.

Defense Minister Qiu Guozheng confirmed in the Legislative Yuan today that the case is already under discussion and has not been included in the "military purchase" funds.

KMT legislator Jiang Qichen questioned in the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan today that Ukraine shot down a Russian hypersonic missile with the "Patriot" missile defense system. Is this Patriot system the Patriot system currently used by the Chinese military?

Li Shiqiang, director of the Strategic Planning Department of the Ministry of National Defense, responded, no, it is the Aisan extended-range model.

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Jiang Qichen asked, no, does the military want to buy more?

When will Taiwan have this weapon?

Li Shiqiang pointed out that there will be additional purchases, which may not be available until after 2027.

Jiang Qichen said that China also has hypersonic missiles, which are already being used on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield. The last time I visited the Patriot missile base, the national army does not have this weapon. Although it is on the weapon procurement list, it does not yet have this weapon.

The Biden administration of the United States intends to use 500 million military aid to aid Taiwan in comparison with the Ukrainian model. Is the United States talking to us?

Are Patriot Extended Range Missiles included?

Qiu Guozheng confirmed that this is already under discussion.

(Patriot) is not included, because there is a delay or postponement of the arms purchase case, and the spot goods must be paid to us first, and the money is not included in the arms purchase funds.

In addition, regarding the U.S. government’s free military aid to Taiwan in accordance with the Ukrainian model, Qiu Guozheng said in an interview earlier in the Legislative Yuan that it doesn’t matter what others think of us in Taiwan and whether it is compared to Ukraine. He must protect the territory of the Republic of China. Many scholars and experts are now discussing, but the Ministry of National Defense has never participated in the discussion, because the country has to solve its own problems.

Qiu Guozheng explained that what was reported in the newspaper is not counted in the "arms sales". We all know that there are some weapons and equipment sales that are currently delayed, and we may make an ultimate compensation by selling off-the-shelf or other alternatives, such as first selling simulators, The relevant types of ammunition are sent over, and if they are in stock, they will be replaced. For example, weapons within the price range, for example, those within 500 million US dollars, will be provided. This is the intention.