Taiwan to Allocate Next Year's Defense Budget Including Drones and Escort Ships

In Consultation with the Administrative Office Regarding the Budget for the Army, Navy, and Air Force

Amid threats from China, Taiwan is reportedly preparing next year's defense budget to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and construct next-generation frigates.

Taiwanese media, including Liberty Times, reported this news on the 16th. According to the report, a source claimed that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has begun consultations with the Executive Yuan regarding the budget for the Army, Navy, and Air Force for the coming year.

A Mirage 2000 fighter jet belonging to the Taiwan Air Force waiting to take off at Hsinchu Air Base in northern Taiwan
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of National Defense plans to invest 10 billion New Taiwan Dollars in the Air Force to enhance the structural integrity of 19 C-130H transport aircraft and one C-130HE electronic warfare aircraft, as well as to update avionics equipment and improve overall performance. The Taiwanese-made large attack drone Tengyun-2, which completed all evaluation tests in mid-last month, is scheduled for mass production starting next year.

The Reserve Command under the Ministry of National Defense's Civil Defense Mobilization Office plans to allocate a budget of 724.17 million New Taiwan Dollars from next year to purchase 850 small drones to enhance unit combat capabilities. The next-generation 4,500-ton missile frigate project, comparable to a small Aegis-class ship, will also be resumed. The Ministry of National Defense plans to start related construction bidding from 2026.