TAIPEI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - U.S.-based Kratos Defense and Taiwan's military have successfully tested a new jet-powered attack drone, a move aimed at rapidly boosting the island's ability to field "large numbers" of low-cost drone amid a rising Chinese threat.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's ambitious $40 billion defence spending plan is caught in a political deadlock as opposition lawmakers refuse to consider the proposal without government concessions,

Bitter divisions in Parliament have culminated in the government’s proposal being blocked 10 times since December. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

TAIPEI, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Taiwan will ramp up its purchases of U.S. natural gas to make up about one-third of its imported supply this year, and reduce purchases from other countries, officials said on Thursday.

TAIPEI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Taiwanese people are at risk of ‌becoming "numb" ​to China's daily military and other ‌pressure tactics to wear down the island, but the threat is real ​and greater readiness is needed, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said.

U.S. pressure on the Beijing-claimed island has grown after the opposition-controlled parliament blocked $40 billion in proposed extra defense spending.

Analysts say China’s leader is still focused on reunification

Taiwan, for its part, would contribute "elite troops," and Washington might assign personnel in Guam or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region to help.

Taiwan has ordered a total of 108 of the upgraded tanks from the United States. The vehicles are unlikely to deter China on their own, but certain to complicate its invasion plans.