Taiwan Unveils New Special Military Budget: 200,000 Drones and 1,000 Unmanned Vessels to Be Procured

Amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Taiwan Strait, the Taiwanese government has unveiled a new special military budget focused on significantly expanding its unmanned forces. The core of the plan includes the introduction of approximately 200,000 unmanned aerial vehicles and around 1,000 unmanned vessels.

According to reports from Yonhap News Agency and Taiwan’s United Daily News on January 19, the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan held a closed-door meeting that day, during which Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng presented the new special military budget. Immediately after the meeting, the Ministry of National Defense disclosed some details of the special military budget, which totals 1.25 trillion New Taiwan dollars (approximately 58.5 trillion won).

The Ministry of National Defense outlined the main objectives of the budget as establishing a 'Shield of Taiwan,' rapidly introducing artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems, and strengthening supply chains that exclude China. The ministry also explained that enhancing precision strike capabilities and operational sustainability have been set as key goals.

Specifically, to strengthen long-range precision strike capabilities, Taiwan plans to acquire the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which has seen combat use in the war in Ukraine.

Additionally, the procurement plan includes around 200,000 drones of various types, such as the attack loitering munitions Altius-700M and Altius-600, as well as drones capable of coastal surveillance, attack, and bomb deployment. The government also intends to secure approximately 1,000 unmanned vessels.

The Ministry of National Defense will also bolster its missile arsenal, including anti-tank missiles such as the Javelin and TOW systems.

The ministry stated that five key weapons procurement projects-including the HIMARS system and Altius unmanned aerial vehicles-have already entered the approval process in the U.S. Congress, and that the review of the remaining projects by the U.S. is also progressing rapidly.