Taiwan pushes $6.6bn drone defence plan ahead of key parliamentary vote

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has urged lawmakers to approve a six-year, T$210 billion ($6.6 billion) special defence budget aimed at purchasing more than 210,000 military drones.

Lai said the investment is essential to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to defend itself against potential threats from China. He pointed to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as evidence that drones have become increasingly important in modern warfare.

However, Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament has proposed an alternative plan that would limit annual spending on the programme to T$40 billion. Opposition lawmakers argue that purchasing large quantities of drones at once could leave Taiwan with outdated technology as drone capabilities develop rapidly.

Defence Minister Wellington Koo rejected the proposed spending cap, saying the government already plans to spend T$42.1 billion on drones in 2027 alone. He said the government’s plan involves continuous procurement and upgrades rather than a single bulk purchase.

The proposed programme also seeks to develop a domestic drone industry and establish a supply chain that does not depend on China, which dominates much of the global drone market.

Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties failed to reach an agreement during discussions on Wednesday, with competing proposals expected to face a crucial vote on Thursday.

Beijing has criticised Lai’s defence policies, accusing him of pursuing independence by force. Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and maintains that its people should decide the island’s future.

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