Taiwan proposes a record $35B defense budget for 2027 as China’s military pressure grows

Taiwan's government has proposed a record-high defense budget of $35 billion for 2027 to counter growing military threats from China, according to a government statement. This substantial increase in military spending signals the intensifying efforts to deter China's assertive actions. China has been regularly sending military planes, coast guard ships, and other vessels towards Taiwan, conducting large-scale military exercises, and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

The proposed budget represents an 18% increase from last year's planned defense spending. The overall budget, including defense, will be presented to Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature for review before late August. This comes after Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of the island's GDP by 2030.

In a recent development, the island has intensified its annual Han Kuang drills, involving reservists and civilians in real-world scenarios, with mobile internet speeds briefly slowed for text-only communication.