Taiwan urged to spend smarter on defence as US backs drone investments

Former Lithuanian defence minister Dovile Sakaliene called for tighter security cooperation between Lithuania and Taiwan, highlighting joint work on civil defence, cybersecurity and drone development. She warned that Chinese aggression in the Indo‑Pacific could also threaten Europe and urged early preparation.

At a forum in Taipei, the de facto U.S. ambassador Raymond Greene said Taiwan must "spend smarter" by focusing on unmanned systems. He cited lessons from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and urged the island to prioritize drones to restore the cross‑Strait military balance. Taiwan’s parliament has approved about two‑thirds of a $40 billion defence budget request, and the United States continues to back President Lai Ching‑te’s modernisation plans, despite a pending $14 billion arms‑sale package.

Taiwan’s officials reaffirmed that any forced change to the island’s status would be rejected, stressing that a stronger defence also protects broader Indo‑Pacific interests and democratic partners.