Taiwan Proposes Record $35.3 Billion Defense Budget for 2027 as Spending Rises 18%
Updated
Updated · Breaking Defense · Aug 21
Taiwan Proposes Record $35.3 Billion Defense Budget for 2027 as Spending Rises 18%
2 articles · Updated · Breaking Defense · Aug 21
Summary
$35.3 billion, or 1.123 trillion Taiwan dollars, was proposed for Taiwan’s 2027 defense budget, marking the island’s highest-ever military allocation and lifting defense spending to 3.01% of projected GDP.
The increase is aimed at deterring a potential Chinese invasion, with NT$691.9 billion earmarked for operations and upkeep and NT$218.2 billion for special weapons procurement.
President Lai Ching-te said the jump shows Taiwan’s resolve to strengthen self-defense, but the plan still falls well short of the 10% of GDP level some U.S. officials, including Elbridge Colby, have urged.
The proposal now faces review by Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature, which in May cut a separate special defense budget to NT$780 billion from the NT$1.25 trillion originally requested.