Taiwan president Lai Ching-te unveils T-Dome air defence system

In a significant move to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities, President Lai Ching-te announced the acceleration of the development of a multi-layered air defense system named the "T-Dome" during his National Day address on October 10, 2025. He stated,

"We will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defense system in Taiwan with multi-layered defense, high-level detection, and effective interception, and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens."

This initiative aims to enhance Taiwan's national security in response to increasing military threats from China. The T-Dome system is conceptually similar to Israel's Iron Dome and the U.S.'s Golden Dome, designed to intercept short- to medium-range missiles and aerial threats. However, Taiwan's system is specifically tailored to address challenges from across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's defense budget for 2026 has been proposed at NT$949.5 billion (approximately US$31.27 billion), representing 3.32% of its GDP—the highest since 2009. President Lai has committed to raising defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030. The development of the T-Dome system is part of a broader strategy to modernize Taiwan's military defenses amid increasing geopolitical pressure.

While reinforcing its defense posture, Taiwan continues to advocate for peaceful dialogue and urges China to renounce the use of force in resolving cross-strait issues. The introduction of the T-Dome system is seen as a strategic measure to deter aggression while maintaining a stance of peace and stability in the region.