Taiwan to spend extra $9 billion to boost defence as China threat intensifies

Taiwan is set to invest in its defence strategies and systems, spending $9 billion over the next five years

The country will spend extra on its armed forces – including on new missiles, as it warned of an urgent need to upgrade weapons in the face of a “severe threat” from giant neighbour China.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has made modernising the armed forces a priority as it is currently dwarfed by China’s.

It comes as Beijing ramps up its military and diplomatic pressure against the island it claims as “sacred” Chinese territory.

The new money, which comes on top of planned military spending of T$471.7 billion for 2022, will still however need to be approved by parliament.

“The Chinese Communists have continued to invest heavily in national defence budgets, its military strength has grown rapidly, and it has frequently dispatched aircraft and ships to invade and harass our seas and airspace,” Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The nation warned of an urgent need to upgrade weapons in the face of a “severe threat” from giant neighbour, China.

It comes as Australia, the UK and the US announce a new security partnership

The deal will see the three countries share secret nuclear technology and also assist Australia as it switches to a nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says “our world is becoming more complex, especially in the Indo-Pacific”

Morrison says his country is opening up a new friendship in its relations with the US and Britain, as he secures a brand new nuclear submarine fleet.

This follows Morrison holding a National Security Committee of Cabinet in Canberra on Wednesday. 

Australia will use both US and British technology to replace its existing Collins class fleet, as the international strategic environment heats up.

The alliance deal will also see an increased presence of American nuclear subs in the region, with a focus on aligning technology and regional challenges.

The working group will ensure that the countries can share information regarding long-range strike capabilities, artificial intelligence and underwater systems in an attempt to counteract the increasing dominance of China.

Biden says it’s time to face the threats of the twenty-first century and has faith that the AUKUS alliance will allow this.