Defense Minister Koo Testifies: HIMARS Gives Taiwan 300 km Deep-Strike Capability; NT$295B Budget Under Final Committee Review; Floor Vote Expected May 29 — 5 Days to HIMARS Deadline

Taiwan Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo testified before the Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on May 26, 2026, urging passage of the NT$295 billion special procurement budget and emphasizing that HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) provides Taiwan with 300 km deep-strike capability against PLA missile launch platforms — a strategic deterrent that cannot be replicated by any Taiwan-indigenous system. Koo's testimony was designed to build final legislative support as the combined Foreign Affairs/National Defense and Finance Committees conducted their final joint review of the NT$295 billion special budget approved by Cabinet on May 20. The joint committee review subsequently concluded on May 27, 2026, with only a nominal NT$2 million cut from the NT$8.81 billion FY2026 annual tranche — a near-complete passage of the Cabinet-approved procurement package covering HIMARS, M109A7 howitzers, Javelin ATGMs, TOW 2B missiles, and anti-armor drone missile systems. A full Legislative Yuan floor vote is now expected as early as Friday May 29, potentially two days ahead of the May 31 HIMARS first payment deadline. The Executive Yuan has separately authorized use of emergency reserve funds as a fallback payment backstop to ensure Taiwan can make the NT$800 million HIMARS down payment even if legislative approval runs to the deadline date.