Taiwan’s defence ministry slams TPP’s ‘unworkable’ military spending plan

Taiwan’s defence ministry on Tuesday pushed back against an opposition party proposal to cut a planned NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special military budget to NT$400 billion and drop plans for the “T-Dome” layered air defence system.It said the plan would not only be unworkable but could also undermine the island’s defence readiness in the face of mounting military pressure from Beijing.The warning came as Taiwan’s legislature remained deadlocked over the special funding bill, which was blocked for the 10th time on Tuesday by opposition lawmakers.The latest move has forced further delays, pushing debate over the special funding bill into the next legislative session after the Lunar New Year holiday next month.The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), a smaller opposition party, unveiled its version of a special defence procurement bill on Monday, cutting the budget ceiling to NT$400 billion over eight years and listing five specific weapons systems for purchase.They include US-made M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars), anti-armour drone missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles and Tow 2B anti-tank missiles.