Core Points - The Taiwanese government has spent significant amounts on advanced weaponry from the United States, but has faced severe delays in delivery, leading to public criticism of the government's effectiveness [1][2] - The procurement of 66 F-16V fighter jets, originally ordered during Tsai Ing-wen's administration for $8 billion, has yet to deliver any aircraft despite over 80% of the payment being made [2][4] - The Taiwanese defense department has acknowledged serious delays in delivery from the U.S., with other projects like AGM-154 missiles also experiencing similar issues [2][4] - Public sentiment in Taiwan has turned against the government, with many viewing the military purchases as a waste of taxpayer money, often receiving outdated equipment [3][4] - The Taiwanese government plans to increase its defense budget significantly, exceeding 3% of GDP, despite criticism that such spending does not improve security and primarily benefits U.S. arms manufacturers [4][6] - The military purchases are seen as a misguided strategy to seek independence through reliance on U.S. support, which many believe is unreliable [6][7] Summary by Sections Military Procurement - The Taiwanese military's procurement of F-16V jets has faced delays, with no deliveries made as of now, despite substantial payments [2][4] - Other military projects are also experiencing delays, attributed to production line issues and supply chain disruptions [2][4] Public Sentiment and Criticism - There is growing public frustration over the military spending, with many questioning the effectiveness of the purchases and labeling Taiwan as a "sucker" in these transactions [3][4] - Criticism is directed at the government for prioritizing military spending over social welfare for military personnel [4] Budget and Spending - The Taiwanese government plans to increase its defense budget to over 3% of GDP, with future goals of reaching 5% by 2030 [6] - The proposed budget includes a special allocation of 1.3 trillion NTD, which is expected to lead to further delays in weapon deliveries [6] Strategic Implications - The reliance on U.S. military support is viewed as a flawed strategy, with experts suggesting that Taiwan's military capabilities cannot match the strength of the Chinese military [7] - The notion that increased military spending can ensure security is challenged, with calls for improved cross-strait relations as a more viable path to peace [7]

Core Points - Taiwan's Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee has requested a report from the defense department regarding delays in military purchases, particularly concerning nearly $20 billion in arms ordered from the U.S. [1][4] - The defense department acknowledged delays in several key procurement projects, including F-16V fighter jets and AGM-154 missiles, while asserting that some other systems have been delivered on time [1][5] - The report indicates that the delivery of 66 F-16V fighter jets has been postponed to 2026 due to production line relocations and supply chain disruptions, with no jets delivered to date [4][5] - The defense department claims that the U.S. is making efforts to expedite the production and delivery of delayed items, including implementing double shifts to increase output [5][6] Summary by Category Military Procurement Delays - The total amount of delayed military purchases from the U.S. is approximately $19.1 billion, including F-16V jets and other systems [4] - Specific delays include the F-16V jets, which were originally scheduled for full delivery by 2026 but are now postponed due to production issues [4][5] - The AGM-154C missile delivery has been pushed from 2025-2026 to 2027-2028, and Mk48 torpedoes have seen their delivery timeline extended to 2026-2028 [4][5] Government Response - The defense department's head, Gu Lixiong, refuted claims that all U.S. weapon deliveries are delayed, stating that some systems have been delivered as scheduled [5] - Gu emphasized that the U.S. is prioritizing the military sales to Taiwan and is working to resolve the delays [5] - There are accusations from opposition lawmakers that the government is downplaying the severity of the delays and misrepresenting the status of military procurement [6] Political Implications - The delays have sparked criticism from various political factions in Taiwan, with some lawmakers accusing the government of failing to advocate for timely deliveries [4][6] - The situation has led to discussions about the implications of U.S.-Taiwan military relations and the potential impact on Taiwan's defense capabilities [6]