Taiwan’s Drone Defense Ambitions Thwarted by Political Gridlock Amid Rising Chinese Threat

As Beijing intensifies its aggressive posture toward Taiwan, the island nation’s government is pushing a bold plan to acquire more than 200,000 drones alongside other advanced military systems. This ambitious strategy is intended not only to bolster Taiwan’s defenses but also to send a clear message that American allies in the Indo-Pacific are committed to safeguarding sovereignty against authoritarian encroachment. However, despite the urgency of these measures, Taiwan’s own political factions threaten to undermine national security. A proposed 1.25 trillion New Taiwan dollar defense budget (approximately $39.5 billion USD) — designed explicitly for purchasing unmanned aerial vehicles and cutting-edge missile...