National Security Bureau upgrades presidential election security with bulletproof vehicles and curtains

In response to the security and protection requirements for the 17th ROC presidential and vice-presidential election, the National Security Bureau (NSB) has initiated relevant deployments and equipment procurement planning in advance. According to a report by the Central News Agency on January 1, 2026, the NSB has specifically allocated a series of major procurement and training budgets within its overall budget compilation for the security maintenance work of the 2027 presidential election. This planning covers the acquisition of various new security vehicles, the preparation of specialized bulletproof vests for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates and their spouses, and key protective equipment such as bulletproof glass partitions for campaign rallies, demonstrating the highest-level intelligence and security agency's extreme emphasis on the security specifications for future large-scale democratic elections.

In terms of specific equipment procurement items, the NSB plans to purchase a total of 36 security vehicles of various types. During the presidential election period, these vehicles will serve as core transport for candidate motorcades, close-protection details, and the tactical deployment of Special Service Command personnel. In addition, considering that campaign rallies are often crowded and complex, exposing security targets to diverse potential threats, the NSB has also budgeted for the procurement of 12 professional bulletproof vests specifically for the candidates themselves and their spouses. Such personal protective equipment must meet high standards for ballistic resistance and lightweight design to ensure that security targets receive the most comprehensive personal safety guarantee when interacting closely with the public or conducting outdoor campaigning.

Beyond personal protective gear, the NSB is also taking proactive measures for protective measures at large-scale public campaign gatherings. The report indicates that this budget allocation includes the procurement of four sets of bulletproof glass partitions. In recent years, bulletproof glass partitions have become standard equipment at campaign rallies during Taiwan's past presidential elections, primarily installed around the podiums where candidates speak to block potential long-range gunfire or thrown projectile threats. The procurement and maintenance of such equipment not only requires advanced engineering technology and material inspection, but also demands seamless integration with stage construction engineering at various venues during practical application, testing the professional capabilities of special service personnel in on-site response and prior planning.

In addition to the upgrading and purchase of hardware equipment, the NSB's budget planning also emphasizes the enhancement of soft power, specifically allocating a substantial scale of security training funds. The security work for a presidential election can by no means be achieved solely through a few bulletproof vests or vehicles; behind the scenes, it relies on a massive and highly specialized special service team. From intelligence collection and analysis, venue security reconnaissance, and motorcade route planning, to emergency response and evacuation drills during unexpected situations, every link requires intensive live-action training and simulation exercises to build cohesion. The investment of this security training fund aims to ensure that all special service and security police forces participating in the 2029 election security can possess the high-pressure psychological resilience and tactical execution capabilities required to cope with various extreme situations.

Looking back at past presidential elections since Taiwan's democratization, security work has consistently been the top priority for national security authorities. Drawing lessons from major security incidents in past elections, the NSB has adopted an attitude of "better to deploy ahead of time than to allow a single slip" regarding security specifications for future elections. Allocating the relevant equipment and training budgets ahead of time in 2026 is not only to cope with the social tensions that may arise from fierce political party competition, but also to safeguard the fundamental baseline for the smooth operation of the national democratic and constitutional system. Once procurement and acceptance inspections are completed, this equipment will be successively deployed into various special service trainings, building a solid line of defense for the upcoming election schedule.