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Taiwan says budget delay risks 'rupture' in line of defence against China
Taiwan’s $40 billion defense budget aims to strengthen regional deterrence against China amid opposition refusal to fully approve the proposal, officials warned on Feb 11.
- On February 11, 2026, Defence Minister Wellington Koo warned that a delay in passing the US$40 billion military budget risks a 'rupture' in Taiwan's defence line, as President Lai Ching-te urged Parliament to approve it.
- Opposition scrutiny has produced cheaper alternatives and criticism of the administration, with Kuomintang refusing 'blank cheques' after its vice-chairman visited Beijing last week.
- The US backed the December arms package worth US$11.1 billion, and Taiwanese officials say China’s threat is becoming increasingly serious, emphasizing Taiwan's critical role in the first island chain.
- Taiwan risks losing priority for US arms deliveries, which officials warn could damage its credibility; the standoff may weaken collective deterrence as countries along the first island chain boost defence spending.
- Amid Mr Lai's 2025 proposal to boost defences, he said it was necessary to safeguard Taiwan's way of life; shortly after, Taiwan detected 11 Chinese military aircraft and China said it will decide how to resolve the Taiwan issue.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Taiwanese President Urges Parliament to Pass Military Budget to Bolster Defense Against China
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Feb. 11 urged parliament to pass a $40 billion special military budget, and the country’s defense minister warned that any delay could rupture Taiwan’s line of defense against China. Lai announced the special budget in November 2025 to defend against military threats from the Chinese communist regime. On Dec. 17, 2025, the United States approved an $11.1 billion arms deal for Taiwan, the largest spending packa…
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Taiwan says budget delay risks 'rupture' in line of defence against China
The delay in passing a $40 billion special military budget risks a "rupture" in the joint line of defence against China, Taiwan's defence minister said on Wednesday, as President Lai Ching-te urged the opposition-controlled parliament to approve the spending measure.
Taiwan opposition party agrees to consider president’s defence bill
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s US$40 billion defence spending plan will be reviewed in parliament after an opposition party on Wednesday did a U-turn and agreed to send the contentious bill to committee. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks during a press conference on the special defence budget in Taipei on February 11, 2026. Photo: Taiwan’s Office of the President. Lai’s proposal was stalled for two months as lawmakers from the opposition Kuo…
Taiwan Warns Defence Budget Delay Could Undermine Indo-Pacific Deterrence
Taiwan’s government has warned that delays in approving a proposed $40 billion special military budget risk creating a “rupture” in the island’s defence posture against China. President Lai Ching-te and Defence Minister Wellington Koo urged the opposition-controlled parliament to pass the spending plan, arguing that national security must transcend partisan divisions. The proposal, first introduced […] The post Taiwan Warns Defence Budget Delay …
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