TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s deputy defense minister suggested if the US is unable to fulfill its obligations in time, the country may ask its allies to supply weapons to Taiwan.
Speaking at the US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in Philadelphia on Tuesday (Sept. 24), Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Yen-pu (徐衍璞) said a delayed shipment of US arms to Taiwan, including fighter jets, is expected to arrive by 2026, per CNA. According to a July report from the CATO Institute, the backlog of weapons awaiting delivery from the US to Taiwan is worth US$20.5 billion (NT$656.08 billion).
If the US can not deliver on time, Hsu said he hopes it can proactively discuss the issue with its allies so that they may provide similar equipment to Taiwan. He told reporters that his message to US leaders is, “As long as it helps Taiwan's security, we welcome any country that can assist.”
Supply chain problems resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are among the issues affecting the US’s ability to supply arms, Hsu said. He also said that export controls on certain technologies are slowing deliveries and that these issues are being discussed by both sides.
Hsu said US leadership and arms manufacturers are aware of these issues and will deliver weapons “in accordance with a jointly determined schedule.”
Hsu spoke at a conference that will also be attended by senior officials from the US military’s Indo-Pacific affairs department, and representatives of Taiwan’s three main political parties.
Taipei City Councilor Vincent Chao (趙怡翔), who represented the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) at the conference, said Taiwan's national security would be affected if it can not overcome other countries’ restrictions on arms sales. He asked US leaders to work with Taiwan to overcome these restrictions.
“Taiwan’s introduction of new weapons will strengthen defense capabilities and contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Chao said.
Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯), who attended on behalf of her party, said the KMT’s approach to arms purchases has been “stigmatized.” Hsu said it is important to the KMT that the arms purchases made by Taiwan are delivered.
Hsu said the KMT believes that when cross-strait conflicts are reduced, money from the defense budget can be spent on other public services. She added that when cross-strait tensions and “gray zone activities” increase, the defense budget can likewise follow suit.
The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) was represented by Legislator Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊), who said her party will “strictly supervise” Taiwan’s defense budget. She said the TPP supports increasing the defense budget, but the spending target must be clear and efficient.