Taiwan is pouring money into drones, armored vehicles and layered air defense over the next five years, a sign it expects a Chinese invasion attempt to be a real risk rather than a distant one.

• The next budget lands in parliament with big buys: locally made drones, hundreds of US vertical-takeoff drones, and 178 domestic wheeled combat vehicles.
• The core idea is a "high-tech kill chain" — networked sensors, AI-assisted decision making, and long-range precision weapons that spot and strike an incoming force.
• Air defense is the other pillar, stacking a domestic mid-tier missile interceptor with US Patriot and NASAMS systems into what is being called the "Shield of Taiwan."
• The navy is adding submarine rescue ships, a new supply ship, and fast minelaying boats meant to make a sea crossing costly.
• New drone units have already been stood up across the army, navy, marines and air force, including an MQ-9B squadron.

Outlook: Lawmakers now have to approve the spending, and China is likely to respond loudly to the drone and missile purchases.