Taiwan is intensifying its coast guard and military readiness as it faces mounting pressure from China. President William Lai has announced plans to seek bipartisan support for a $13.6 billion special defense budget, aiming to bolster frontline defenses and operational readiness. The recent ‘Ocean Day’ drill in Kaohsiung highlighted these efforts, with Taiwan’s coast guard and navy conducting joint exercises to demonstrate their capabilities.
Alongside the navy, Taiwan’s coast guard is undergoing modernization. The drill showcased the new Anping-class corvettes, stealth-capable vessels with surface-to-land missile systems and advanced rescue capabilities. The development of new sea drones, including so-called ‘kamikaze’ or suicide drones, was also highlighted, with plans to test these in Southern Taiwan waters this August. Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed the addition of unmanned surface vehicles to the navy and the inauguration of drone units by the army.
President Lai emphasized the importance of national resilience, urging lawmakers to back his proposed defense spending, which would also support domestic industries affected by higher U.S. tariffs. However, the proposed spending faces challenges due to his party’s lack of majority in Taiwan’s Parliament. Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to accuse Beijing of ‘gray zone’ warfare tactics, including harassment of fishing vessels and illegal incursions, which it sees as attempts to create a ‘new normal’ of uninterrupted control over the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing’s communist government claims Taiwan as its territory, despite never having governed it. Recent statements have removed language calling for a ‘peaceful settlement,’ with one widely quoted assertion suggesting Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. This timeline adds to the urgency of Taiwan’s defensive preparations.