TAIPEI – Taiwan has announced its intention to allocate an additional T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) for the procurement of weaponry in the upcoming year, with a focus on acquiring fighter jets to enhance its defense capabilities against China. This move comes in response to China’s persistent military and political pressure over the past few years, asserting its claims over Taiwan, a democratic nation that vehemently rejects such assertions.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan disclosed earlier this week that the proposed defense budget for 2024 will be T$606.8 billion, reflecting a 3.5% rise from the preceding year. Of the supplementary T$94.3 billion, approximately half will be allocated towards the purchase of fighter jets, while the remaining funds will be directed at reinforcing naval defenses. The government’s statistical division released this information subsequent to a cabinet meeting convened to deliberate on the budget.
Furthermore, the United States recently sanctioned a potential sale worth $500 million to Taiwan, encompassing infrared search and track systems intended for employment on F-16 fighter jets, in addition to other related equipment. Taiwan’s Deputy Defense Minister, Po Horng-huei, informed journalists that these search and tracking systems are akin to those deployed on advanced U.S. fighter jets such as the F-35 and F-22. Po went on to mention that these systems will be instrumental in targeting and countering the new generation of Chinese aircraft, notably the J-20 stealth fighter, ultimately fortifying Taiwan’s capacity to deter Chinese aerial activities in the Taiwan Strait.
China, consistently critical of foreign arms sales to Taiwan, urged the United States to abandon the proposed sale, as stated by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The defense budget proposed by Taiwan is subject to parliamentary approval, wherein the Democratic Progressive Party, led by President Tsai, commands a majority. Notably, the budget earmarks 2.5% of the nation’s gross domestic product for defense spending.
President Tsai has overseen an initiative to modernize Taiwan’s armed forces, facilitating their preparedness against potential threats from China. This initiative encompasses the modernization of the F-16 fighter jet fleet and the development of indigenous submarines. The first prototype of the indigenous submarine is slated for unveiling next month, as per Tsai’s announcement. Additionally, Taiwan has been in the process of upgrading 141 F-16A/B jets to the F-16V variant, while also placing an order for 66 new F-16Vs, which are equipped with advanced avionics, weaponry, and radar systems to effectively counter the Chinese air force, including the J-20 stealth fighters.
(Source: Ben Blanchard | Faith Hung | Andrew Hayley | Christopher Cushing | Miral Fahmy | Reuters)
