Taiwan's Defense Spending Soars Past NT$1 Trillion Amid China Tensions
Taiwan's defense spending has hit an unprecedented high, with the Cabinet approving a substantial supplementary budget of NT$145.7 billion (approximately US$4.6 billion) on Thursday. This critical injection of funds pushes the island's total defense expenditure for 2026 beyond NT$1 trillion for the first time ever, a clear signal of Taipei's urgent push to bolster its defenses against mounting pressure from Beijing. The additional spending is largely earmarked for crucial asymmetric warfare capabilities, including drones, missile systems, and unmanned surface vessels.














