Symbolic imageTaiwan plans record 16 percent rise in defence spending
Taiwan intends to lift defence spending in 2027 by about 16 percent to a record, according to official media. The plan surfaced during the island's annual war games against a simulated Chinese assault.
Reuters reported the figure on Sunday, 9 August, citing Taiwanese official media; Bloomberg followed a day later, calling the planned budget a record aimed at countering China. Handelsblatt carried the same percentage but hedged it as probable. No report available names a total sum, a breakdown by category or a date for the bill to reach parliament. All rest on brief agency copy about state media rather than a published document, so the number remains unconfirmed.
Mobile internet slowed during drills
Reuters reported on Monday that this year's annual exercise simulates the repulse of a Chinese assault and that authorities will deliberately slow mobile internet during it. The duration and scope of the slowdown are not stated.
Betting on a drone 'hellscape'
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Taiwan is betting on drones to deter a possible Chinese invasion, a 'hellscape' concept inspired by Ukraine's battlefield gains. No procurement figures or timelines appear in the material available.
Other opinions
China's state-affiliated Global Times ran a commentary by Hai Feng arguing that Taiwan's real crisis is political theatre and emotional mobilisation, and it does not report the budget figure in the material available.