Taipei: Taiwan has formally signaled to the United States its intent to seek an extension on the deadline for finalizing major arms purchase agreements, as a deepening political stalemate over defense spending in the legislature threatens to derail critical military acquisitions. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) warned on Friday that without swift action from lawmakers, previously offered defense deals could lapse, jeopardising the island’s preparations amid escalating military pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory.
At the centre of the dispute is a proposed US$40 billion special defense budget, championed by President Lai Ching-te last year as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Taiwan’s deterrence and combat readiness. However, opposition parties controlling the legislature have balked at the size and scope of the plan, offering alternative defense funding that covers only a fraction of the U.S. weaponry Taipei seeks to procure. As a result, detailed spending proposals remain stalled in parliamentary committees.
The defense ministry has already received draft Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) from Washington the formal mechanism under which the U.S. government sells military equipment to foreign partners for systems including TOW anti-tank missiles, Javelin anti-armour missiles, and M109A7 self-propelled howitzers. These LOAs are currently valid only until March 15, 2026, with the first payment due by March 31, but the failure of parliament to act could result in automatic cancellation of the deals unless an extension is granted by the U.S. side.
In a statement, Taipei’s defense officials said they would “actively seek an extension from the U.S. side for the LOA signing validity period to avoid the entire case being cancelled due to a failure to sign within the deadline.” They also emphasized that the government has already coordinated extensively with U.S. counterparts on the weapons it plans to procure, including key factors such as willingness to sell, production lines, and delivery timelines.
The budget impasse highlights the sharp political division within Taiwan’s government over defense policy. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and allied parties say they support strengthening the island’s security but argue that any large special budget must be subjected to rigorous legislative scrutiny and should not be treated as a “blank cheque.” They have also demanded greater transparency and assurances regarding the procurement process before giving their approval.
President Lai and officials from his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have countered that delay undermines Taiwan’s ability to deter aggression and respond to the growing threat from Beijing, which has stepped up military drills and political pressure in recent years. The deadlock occurs as the United States, Taiwan’s most significant but unofficial security partner, has been urging Taipei and other partners to bolster their defense spending amid shifting regional dynamics. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department reiterated support for Taiwan’s proposed special defense budget and welcomed its announcement, aligning with broader calls from Washington that allies take greater responsibility for their own security.
The issue of arms procurement and budget approval comes amid a broader backdrop of increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China views U.S. arms sales as interference in its internal affairs and has repeatedly warned that foreign military support to Taiwan could have serious consequences. Meanwhile, Taipei’s efforts to secure advanced military systems reflect concerns about the balance of power in the region and the need to reinforce both conventional and asymmetric capabilities to deter potential aggression.
As the March deadline approaches, Taipei’s appeal to Washington for extended deadlines underscores the urgent need to bridge domestic political differences to safeguard national security. Without timely action, Taiwan risks not only losing access to strategic weapons systems but also signaling weakness at a critical juncture in cross-strait relations.