Allowing private firms to take part in defense production marks a major shift in Taiwan's security push. As military and civilian drills intensify, society appears to be coming to terms with the idea that defending against pressure from China will no longer be left to the armed forces alone.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's president has ordered a major increase in the defense budget, investing heavily in a new island-wide air-defense shield that will include both domestically produced weapons systems and equipment supplied by the United States.