Taiwan bolsters military readiness and defense spending

Following the conclusion of the Han Kuang 42 military exercises, Taiwan is continuing its combat readiness operations. The Navy has scheduled live-fire exercises involving anti-sea and anti-air munitions in the waters off southeastern Taiwan from September 9 to 24, 2026. These drills are expected to involve fighter jets, helicopters, and reconnaissance drones.

Simultaneously, military units including the 5th Combat Zone and the Matsu Defense Command are conducting post-exercise reviews to refine command, logistics, and battlefield management. These reviews focus on integrating new technologies such as drones and the TAK tactical command system.

Amidst these military developments, Taiwan is also strengthening its strategic position ahead of a scheduled summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington. To bolster its defense, Taiwan has announced an 18% increase in defense spending for the upcoming year, which is expected to exceed 1 trillion New Taiwan dollars ($31.4 billion) for the first time, focusing on drones and missile capabilities.