Taiwan’s defence ministry is seeking a record $33 billion in special funding to upgrade the island’s defences against a potential Chinese attack. Senior lawmaker Wang Ting‑yu, a member of President Lai Ching‑te’s Democratic Progressive Party, said the ministry is drafting a special budget of between NT$800 billion and NT$1 trillion (approximately $26 billion to $33 billion) over seven years. The money would be used to integrate Taiwan’s air‑defence systems, acquire advanced technology to detect small drones, rockets and missiles, and expand the capacity to produce and store ammunition for wartime.
The plans form part of a “huge” upgrade to Taiwan’s self‑defence capabilities, aimed at building a complete defence ecology to protect the country. Taiwan has long lived under the constant threat of invasion by China, which claims the self‑ruled island as part of its territory and has warned it will seize it by force. The proposed funding represents a significant increase in defence spending, reflecting growing security concerns.
The final amount of the special budget has not yet been decided, as Taiwan is negotiating with the United States over potential arms sales that would be incorporated into the funding. Wang Ting‑yu said the negotiations are ongoing and that the ministry is working to ensure the money is used effectively to enhance Taiwan’s defence capabilities.
In recent years the defence ministry has been strengthening military capabilities through the development of indigenous defence systems and the acquisition of advanced weaponry from overseas partners. If approved, the special funding would provide a major boost, enabling Taiwan to better respond to potential security threats. As tensions with China continue to simmer, the proposed funding is seen as a critical step toward enhancing the island’s defence ecology and ensuring national security, while negotiations with the United States remain underway.
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