Taiwan seeks $4.6bn supplementary defence budget for drones, missiles

Taiwan's cabinet has proposed NT$145.7 billion, about $4.6 billion, in supplementary 2026 defence spending focused on domestically developed missiles and large numbers of uncrewed systems. Planned items include Strong Bow anti-ballistic missiles, more than 600 coastal surveillance drones, over 40,000 coastal attack drones and more than 100 uncrewed attack boats. The package seeks to avoid capability gaps and strengthen local production amid sustained Chinese military pressure. It remains a government proposal requiring legislative approval, so final appropriations, procurement quantities and delivery schedules could still change during parliamentary review.