Massive increase in Taiwan defence spend
Taiwan plans to boost military expenditure by 22.9% to $31.27bn in 2026, bringing it to 3.32% of GDP, after calls by the Trump administration to spend more on its own defence
MILITARY EXPENDITURE
New Taiwan $ billions
Personnel
200.8
Operational upkeep
Ammunition, spare parts
199
Other
Undisclosed
118.3
Special budget
New fighter jets, naval defences
186.8
Military investment
Arms purchased from U.S.
161.6
Coast guard, veterans
Newly included to conform to NATO calculations 83
Total
NT$949.5 bn
U.S. $31.27bn
Seeking to buy F-35 jets from U.S.
YEAR-ON-YEAR
2013-2025
Including special supplemental budgets
China
U.S. $248.2bn
607
647
949.5
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Sources: Reuters, Global Taiwan
Picture: Getty Images
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