Cabinet’s defense budget proposal could generate billions and create jobs: officialCABINET’S VERSION: Its bill focuses on building a ‘T-Dome,’ using AI for a quick and precise kill chain, and speeding up domestic defense industries’ developmentBy Chung Li-hua and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Cabinet’s version of the NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.16 billion) special defense budget is expected to trigger massive growth in the defense industry if passed, an Executive Yuan official said on Saturday. The Cabinet’s proposal is expected to generate more than NT$400 billion in defense industry output and create more than 90,000 jobs, bolstering national security while boosting economic growth, said the official, who declined to be named. Cabinet data showed that the defense sector last year generated NT$230.8 billion in production value, including NT$12.9 billion from drones, NT$69.6 billion from shipbuilding and NT$148.3 billion from aerospace. In the drone sector, the Cabinet last year approved plans to invest NT$44.2 billion into the domestic production of uncrewed aerial vehicles. The defense sector is one of the 13 strategic industries designated by the Executive Yuan as pillars for future national development.

Source: Taipei Times March 15, 2026 17:12 UTC