Taiwan has approved a special defence budget worth NT$780 billion aimed at strengthening the island’s military capabilities and reinforcing deterrence against China amid rising cross-strait tensions.
The massive defence package is one of Taiwan’s largest military spending initiatives in recent years and comes as Beijing continues to increase military pressure around the self-governed island through war drills, naval deployments and air incursions near Taiwanese territory.
According to officials, the special budget will be directed toward upgrading Taiwan’s defence preparedness, improving missile systems, strengthening naval and air force capabilities, and accelerating procurement of advanced military equipment. The move is also expected to support domestic defence production and modernisation programmes.
Taiwanese authorities said the additional allocation is intended to ensure long-term security readiness as regional geopolitical risks continue to rise across the Indo-Pacific. The budget approval reflects growing concerns in Taipei over China’s expanding military activities and repeated warnings from Beijing regarding Taiwan’s political direction and international engagement.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that reunification remains a national objective. Taiwan, meanwhile, maintains its own democratic government and has continued expanding defence cooperation with several international partners, including the United States.
The newly approved defence package comes amid increasing discussions within Taiwan over military preparedness, reserve force reforms and the need to strengthen asymmetric warfare capabilities designed to counter a larger military power.
Taiwan’s government has repeatedly stressed that its defence strategy is focused on deterrence and maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. Officials have also called for stronger regional cooperation to preserve peace and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The defence spending announcement is expected to draw close attention from Beijing, which has previously criticised Taiwan’s military expansion efforts and foreign arms cooperation.
The latest move further highlights the rapidly evolving security environment in East Asia, where military activity and strategic competition have intensified in recent years.