Taiwan's government is pushing the legislature to approve more military spending, a sign that its rearmament plans are being held back by political deadlock at home.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai called on lawmakers to release funding so troops can get modern, world-standard weapons and equipment.
• The government asked for a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion but only NT$780 billion cleared the legislature.
• The cabinet is now adding money for weapons purchases and equipment upgrades over the next one to two years into a supplementary budget.
• The appeal came at events marking Armed Forces Day, alongside promises of better pay and welfare for soldiers.
• Officials framed the buildup as defending not just Taiwan but stability across the Indo-Pacific, 30 years after the Taiwan Strait missile crisis.

Outlook: Expect continued fights between the cabinet and the opposition-controlled legislature over how much Taiwan spends on its military.