TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and the US have a comprehensive and institutionalized mechanism for military cooperation, Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said on Wednesday (Nov. 13).

This structured approach allows Taiwan to request weapons and equipment that meet its operational needs, Koo said at a legislative meeting, per CNA. 

He explained the Ministry of National Defense (MND) focuses on four priorities: building asymmetric warfare capabilities, strengthening operational resilience, enhancing reserve forces, and addressing gray-zone threats. These objectives guide Taiwan’s discussions with the US on acquiring the proper weapons, equipment, and training, he said.

When asked about which weapons are prioritized, the defense minister said that considerations include operational needs and budget availability, Koo said. Taiwan will raise requests for the arms it considers essential within the framework of existing US-Taiwan military cooperation, he said.

Koo pointed out that Taiwan has multiple channels for acquiring weapons, including domestic production, military purchases, and commercial purchases. However, details on specific weapons are not disclosed publicly. The MND refrains from publicly discussing specific arms acquisitions until the US formally notifies its Congress, he said.

The Financial Times recently reported that Taiwan may make a large-scale weapons purchase, including Aegis destroyers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, Patriot missiles, and F-35 fighter jets. However, the Presidential Office clarified on Monday that Taiwan is not currently engaged in new arms sale discussions with the US. 

“While Taiwan and the US have maintained ongoing discussions and assessments regarding military needs, there are currently no new stages of discussions underway,” Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said in a statement.