Taiwan's Executive Yuan on September 3, 2026, approved a central government supplementary budget, allocating NT$145.7 billion for national defense. The funding is intended to procure weapons to enhance defense combat capabilities and support combat troop allowances amid growth in military recruitment.

According to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the NT$145.7 billion defense allocation includes NT$55.9 billion for three unmanned system programs, such as coastal surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Additionally, NT$13.0 billion is designated for seven items including mid-tier anti-tactical ballistic missile systems, NT$64.5 billion for two classified programs, NT$7.3 billion for urgent ammunition replenishment, and NT$900 million for a cross-domain tactical network integration project.

Huang Wen-chi, Director of the Strategic Planning Department of the Ministry of National Defense, explained that while UAV units were formed last year and positioned by January this year, they currently lack unmanned systems. The ministry plans to launch procurement for coastal surveillance UAVs, coastal attack UAVs, and suicide unmanned surface vessels this year, with initial combat capabilities scheduled for establishment in 2027 to meet basic combat stock requirements.

Huang noted that the NT$55.9 billion UAV budget carries symbolic significance, offering confidence to local industry players while channeling resources into key chips for navigation and flight control within "non-red" supply chains. Regarding ammunition, the NT$7.3 billion replenishment will gradually raise combat stock levels from 30 days to 120 days to cover resources consumed by increased military exercises.

The defense ministry noted that the supplementary budget incorporates 13 previously unapproved programs from a larger NT$1.25 trillion special purchase statute, which originally comprised 23 items. These remaining projects consist of domestic production, commercial military purchases, and joint Taiwan-U.S. research and development. Following legislative approval, the ministry aims to accelerate bidding, contract awards, and equipment acquisition to mitigate combat capability gaps.