Taiwan lawmakers approve US$7.6bil drone budget as China threat grows
Parliament approved a spending proposal backed by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) after rejecting the government's plan.
Taiwan's lawmakers have approved a US$7.6 billion budget for the production of locally made drones, as the island aims to enhance its defenses against potential threats from China. The decision, backed by both the KMT and the TPP parties, comes after President Lai Ching-te's government's proposal was rejected. The new budget, spread over six years, will be included in the annual budget and overseen by the defense ministry.
The KMT, which supports closer ties with China, and the TPP emphasized the need for local production, cybersecurity, and stable growth in the drone industry. Taiwan's defense spending has increased in recent years, with a particular focus on drones and other counter-drone capabilities to counter China's grey-zone activities and potential military threats.
The opposition parties noted that Taiwan remains heavily reliant on US arms sales for deterrence, but stresses the importance of developing its own defense industry for asymmetric warfare.
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