Taiwan is preparing to spend more money on its military than ever before, with President Lai Ching-te announcing plans for a record defence budget of $31.4 billion for 2027, taking military spending above three per cent of GDP for the first time.
Lai described the increase, which amounts to a 16 per cent rise in spending compared to the previous year, as an investment in peace and a sign of Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its self-defence.
The announcement comes as Taiwan faces growing military and political pressure from China, which claims the island as its territory. Chinese military forces operate almost daily around Taiwan, while Beijing has also increased coast guard patrols off the island’s east coast.
For Lai’s government, the answer is to invest more heavily in Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
Taiwan has made military modernisation a key priority, including the development of domestically produced submarines. The island has also been expanding its military capabilities as pressure from China grows.
The focus is not limited to traditional military equipment.
Taiwan’s parliament recently approved this year’s budget after months of political deadlock, including $63.4 billion Taiwan dollars (nearly $2 billion) for a major drone programme.
The funding was approved in full despite lawmakers cutting $48 billion Taiwan dollars ($1.5 billion) from the government’s original budget proposal.
The government says the drone programme is part of efforts to modernise the military and strengthen Taiwan’s ability to deter China.
But increasing defence spending has also become a political issue at home.
Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party lost its parliamentary majority after the 2024 election, leaving the opposition in control of the legislature. The political divide contributed to an unusually long delay in approving this year’s budget.
The opposition has argued against giving the government what it describes as a blank cheque, while Lai has called for greater professionalism and proportionality in the budget process.
Despite the dispute, the government is moving ahead with plans for another major increase next year.
The 2027 proposal would take Taiwan’s defence spending above the $31 billion mark for the first time and above three per cent of GDP.
Taiwan’s challenge is not simply deciding how much money to spend. It is deciding what that money needs to achieve.
Lai argues that stronger defences can help maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. But the increase is taking place as China continues to expand military and political pressure on the island.
For now, Taipei is betting that stronger defences can help deter conflict.
The record $31.4 billion budget is the clearest sign yet of how seriously Taiwan is preparing for a more uncertain security environment.
Japan and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime have launched a $9.4 million, two-year project across five Afghan provinces to help former poppy-growing...
A U.S. campaign to throttle Iran...
For centuries, Lahore has been shaped by the people, cultures and empires that passed through it. Now, the Pakistani city is preparing to put that ...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
The resolution, sponsored by African countries and led by Togo, passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.
Food prices around the world rose sharply in August, reaching their highest level since late 2022 as extreme weather and disruptions caused by conflicts drove the surge according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment