Taiwan proposes extra $4.6 billion in defence spending for this year

Taiwan’s government has proposed adding $4.6 billion to this year’s defence budget as pressure from China intensifies around the island. The additional funds would support weapons procurement, military readiness and efforts to strengthen air and maritime defences. Officials say the spending is needed to improve deterrence and respond to increasingly frequent Chinese military activity. The proposal is expected to face debate in Taiwan’s legislature, where opposition parties have previously challenged major defence packages and questioned their cost, timing and oversight.