Taiwan's Executive Yuan has proposed a special defense budget bill worth approximately USD 38.5 billion (NT$1.25 trillion) to bolster national defense capabilities. Opposition parties have submitted competing versions, and the proposals are scheduled for joint review next week. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has submitted a written report to the Legislative Yuan outlining critical capability gaps and procurement priorities.
According to the MND report, Taiwan's armed forces require large quantities of surveillance and attack drones to meet the operational needs of ground units at the brigade level and below. The military identifies these systems as essential for battlefield intelligence gathering and rapid strike execution — what defense planners describe as "detect-and-strike" integration.
The MND has acknowledged that existing weapons systems — including mobile obstacle equipment, TOW 2B anti-armor missiles, Javelin anti-armor missiles, and ALTIUS-600M attack drones — remain insufficient to counter sustained attacks by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which enjoys superior troop strength and firepower.
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Under high-intensity combat conditions, the MND warns, Taiwan's forces would face severe shortages of weapons and ammunition.
Asymmetric Defense and Terrain-Based Strategy
On joint homeland defense, the MND states that Taiwan must fully leverage asymmetric warfare tactics and terrain advantages. The military plans to deploy C5ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems alongside AI-assisted decision-support platforms to maintain continuous command over tri-service units during homeland defense operations.
The strategy envisions using mobile obstacle systems to slow enemy advances following any amphibious landing, channeling PLA forces into pre-designated kill zones. Anti-armor missiles and drone-based precision strike systems would then be used to attrit armored columns. Drone countermeasure systems would be deployed across all ground combat units to defend against saturation attacks by small unmanned aerial vehicles.
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Specific Procurement Priorities
The MND report details several critical capability requirements. The military plans to procure multiple categories of surveillance drones for ground force deployment, paired with AI decision-support systems, tactical networks, and rapid intelligence-sharing application packages. The goal is to establish a Common Operating Picture (COP) at the platoon level and above through encrypted multi-source intelligence transmission.
Key procurement items identified in the report include:
82 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) multiple-launch rocket systems, to be deployed with army units for fire support missions.
Air defense missile systems for both army and air force units, intended to enhance short- to medium-range ground force air defense coverage.
1,554 ALTIUS-700M and 478 ALTIUS-600ISR anti-armor unmanned aerial systems, to be distributed across combat zones for precision engagement.
60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers for rapid, precision fire support within army formations.
Drone countermeasure systems to be deployed across ground combat units to mitigate the threat posed by small enemy unmanned systems.
Why This Matters
The MND's candid acknowledgment of weapons and ammunition shortfalls under high-consumption scenarios reflects a broader structural challenge facing Taiwan's defense posture.
The legislative review next week will test whether Taiwan's political institutions can move the budget forward amid partisan divisions, a dynamic that international observers and defense partners are watching closely.
You've read it. Now let's talk. Follow us on X. Editor: Yuping Chang
