Taiwan proposes extra $3 billion spending on new weapons next year

A view shows a loitering munition UAV on display as Taiwan's Defence Ministry showcases its domestically developed drones to the media, in Taichung, Taiwan March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan will spend an extra T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) for new arms purchases next year including fighter jets, the government said on Thursday.

That number is included in overall proposed defence spending for 2024 of T$606.8 billion, the government's statistics department said.

($1 = 31.7490 Taiwan dollars)

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Faith Hung; Editing by Christopher Cushing)