Taiwan passes defence budget after record delay, retains drone funding
Summary
Taiwan’s opposition-led parliament approved a $93 billion budget after a record delay of 266 days, keeping funding for a key drone defense program. The parliament had clashed over spending, but ultimately preserved the drone funding despite earlier threats to cut it.Key Facts
- Taiwan’s parliament is controlled by the opposition Kuomintang party.
- The budget approval was delayed 266 days, passing after the legal deadline.
- The total budget is $93 billion for the year.
- Funding for Taiwan’s drone program, important for defense against China, was retained.
- The Kuomintang initially wanted to cut drone funding by 70% but dropped that plan after review.
- Other cuts included 60% less for government agency heads’ special allowances, 2.5% less for military equipment and facilities, and 50% less for media policy and publicity.
- Taiwan had been using a provisional budget to pay government workers before this vote.
- China claims Taiwan as its own and has increased military pressure in recent years, including ordering many drones, while Taiwan’s military has fewer than 5,000 drones.
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