Taiwan Detects Chinese Military Sorties and Approves Record Drone Defense Budget
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported detecting four PLA aircraft and eight PLAN vessels operating around the island on the morning of August 15, 2026. Three aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, entering the northern and eastern ADIZ. Simultaneously, Taiwan’s parliament approved a delayed government budget, including a critical $63.4 billion allocation specifically for uncrewed systems. President Lai Ching-te emphasized that developing a resilient drone supply chain is vital for deterring potential Chinese maritime blockades and maintaining regional stability.