TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwanese government estimated China spent approximately US$15 billion (NT$478.56 billion) on military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region last year.
Government researchers counted all of China's regional naval and air operations in 2023, then calculated the cost of fuel and other consumables per hour, including maintenance and salaries, Reuters reported.
"This reveals the logic of allocation of their resources," a Taiwan official briefed on the research said. "They are spending a huge amount of resources trying to gain control of the west of the First Island Chain," they added.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said, "The Chinese Communist Party's enormous military investment in recent years indeed has a negative impact on the peace and stability in the region, which is not conducive to global prosperity and development.”
The findings come as Taiwan approved its highest-ever defense budget for 2025 last week. The Cabinet revealed that the military will receive NT$647 billion next year, which is a 7.7% year-on-year increase and accounts for 2.45% of Taiwan’s GDP.
The budget includes NT$90.4 billion to purchase new fighter jets and for missile production.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has pledged to strengthen national defense through reforms and increase the defense budget.
Taiwan recently held two live-fire military drills, testing its Hsiung Feng anti-ship and TOW anti-armor missiles. As the nation bolsters its defense capabilities, it is simultaneously deepening military cooperation with the US, which may enhance special forces training with Taiwanese counterparts.
The US Department of Defense is seeking more flexibility from Congress to use its special forces more effectively in supporting American allies, including Taiwan. Training with Green Berets and Marine Raiders would increase Taiwan’s deterrence capabilities in a potential cross-strait conflict.
