Key facts
- Taiwan's cabinet proposed an additional T$145.7 billion ($4.59 billion) in defense spending for the current year.
- The funds will be used for systems including drones and anti-ballistic missiles.
- This move comes amid stepped-up military pressure from China.
- The spending incorporates plans previously sought under a special budget.
- Taiwan's parliament previously approved a six-year plan for drone spending and will consider a proposed $1 trillion defense budget for next year.
Taiwan's cabinet has proposed an additional T$145.7 billion ($4.59 billion) in defense spending for the current year, a move aimed at modernizing its military with systems including drones and anti-ballistic missiles. This decision comes in response to escalating military pressure from China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governing island.
The supplementary budget incorporates plans that were initially sought under a previous special budget, reflecting a sense of urgency in bolstering national security. The proposed spending will fund critical systems such as the domestically developed Strong Bow missile, over 600 coastal surveillance and reconnaissance drones, more than 40,000 coastal attack drones, and an initial batch of over 100 small suicide drone boats.
Taiwan's government has prioritized defense modernization, with President Lai Ching-te enthusiastically embracing calls from the U.S. to increase defense expenditure. Last month, parliament approved a six-year plan totaling $240 billion for drone procurement. Looking ahead, the government has proposed that overall defense spending will surpass $1 trillion for the first time next year.