TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The specific weapons that Taiwan seeks to procure from the US with the proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget were selected based on defense needs, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said on Monday.

He said the military considered enemy threats and technological trends, which determine whether Taiwan purchases, commissions production, or buys through commercial channels, according to CNA. However, Koo said the ministry would not disclose details of the potential arms sales. 

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced the special defense budget last week. 

The military also plans to proceed with the T-Dome, which enhances air defense capabilities by using AI-assisted integrated sensing systems to improve interception rates, Koo said. Expanding layered interception is the overall goal of Taiwan’s air defense, he added.

Koo emphasized that anything that contributes to overall air defense capability or command and control decision-making systems is a potential procurement item in the future. The Cabinet has already approved the special defense budget bill and passed it to the Legislative Yuan for review.

A US state department spokesperson said the US supports Taiwan’s efforts to boost its defense capabilities “commensurate with the threat it faces.” They also welcomed Lai’s pledge to increase the defense budget to 3% of GDP by 2026 and 5% by 2030. This decision “demonstrates resolve to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities," they said.