Taiwan is putting more money into hardening its air bases against a Chinese first strike, a sign that war planning is getting more concrete.

• Taiwan will spend $112 million from 2027 to 2031 to modernize Chia Shan, a mountain base in Hualien that can hide 250 fighter jets underground.
• The base was built in the early 1990s, and its power, ventilation, fire and security systems are worn out, with many parts no longer made by anyone.
• The upgrades add protection against chemical, biological and nuclear attack, plus electromagnetic pulses that would fry electronics.
• A separate $217 million project will build 26 more blast-proof aircraft shelters at Chia Shan and a second base in Taitung.
• The plan fits Taiwan's strategy of scattering its jets to protected mountain bases in wartime so a missile barrage cannot wipe out its air force on the ground.

Outlook: The budget still needs approval from Taiwan's legislature, and more defense spending of this kind is likely as pressure from China grows.