Taiwan’s parliament has finally approved a crucial defence budget after a record delay of 266 days, ensuring funding for its drone programme amidst escalating tensions with China. This budget, amounting to $93 billion, was passed despite significant opposition from the Kuomintang party, which had initially threatened to cut drone funding by 70%. The decision to maintain this funding is vital for Taiwan’s military strategy, especially as China ramps up its military capabilities, reportedly ordering close to a million drones this year.
The prolonged deadlock had forced the government to operate under a provisional budget, impacting civil service payments and welfare programmes. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu highlighted the social divisions caused by this impasse, urging both ruling and opposition parties to seek compromise in future negotiations. The approval of the budget marks a significant step in Taiwan’s efforts to bolster its defence capabilities against perceived threats from Beijing.
In recent months, the opposition-controlled legislature had already cut a proposed $40 billion special defence budget by 38%, stripping out funding for domestically produced combat drones. This has raised concerns about Taiwan’s military readiness, especially as it currently possesses fewer than 5,000 drones compared to China’s vast arsenal.
As tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue to rise, the implications of this budget approval extend beyond military preparedness. It reflects the ongoing political struggles within Taiwan and the urgent need for a unified approach to national security, which could influence Taiwan’s future relations with both China and the international community.
Source: Al Jazeera
