《TAIPEI TIMES》 Taiwan defense bill advances in the US

The US Capitol building in Washington is pictured in an undated photograph. Photo: AFP

DETERRING THREATS: The bill requires a review of delays in arms sales and its effect on First Island Chain defense, as well as the establishment of a war stockpile for Taiwan

/ Staff writer, with CNA The US Senate Committee on Armed Services on Thursday approved a defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2027 （FY27）, which included a provision that would authorize the US Department of Defense to establish a war reserve stockpile program for Taiwan.

The new National Defense Authorization Act （NDAA） passed with an 18-9 vote and is to move to the US Senate floor for consideration, the committee said in a statement.

Highlights of the act for the Indo-Pacific region include renaming the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative （TSCI） to the “First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative” and allowing the Philippines to receive assistance under the program. The initiative would also be extended through 2032.

The bill would also authorize the department to establish the War Reserve Stockpile program for Taiwan and require a review of delays in US arms sales to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines, including how such delays affect the department’s ability to establish, deploy and maintain a strong denial-based defense along the First Island Chain.

The NDAA also includes provisions covering a range of defense priorities, including the Middle East, uncrewed aircraft systems, munitions, and emerging threats and capabilities.

US Senator Roger Wicker, who chairs the committee, said that “an axis of aggressors challenges America’s interests across the globe, and the character of warfare is changing rapidly.”

“Recognizing the critical need for our military to be capable of deterring these threats, and if necessary to prevail against them, the FY27 NDAA marks a seminal breakthrough for the American military,” he said. “This legislation facilitates the modernization of an American arsenal that will define the next generation of warfare.”

Last week, the US House Armed Services Committee approved its version of the defense authorization bill, which includes up to US$1 billion under the TSCI to help Taiwan bolster its self-defense capabilities.

The initiative provides funding for areas such as medical support, training and the joint development of uncrewed systems with the US, in line with the Taiwan Relations Act.

The US House and US Senate are required to reconcile their respective versions of the NDAA and pass a final measure before it can be sent to the president to sign and become law.

In related developments, US Senator Dan Sullivan after a meeting with Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun （鄭麗文） called on the KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party （DPP） to cooperate on defense spending.

“I had a good discussion with KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun today. I’m a strong advocate for the US-Taiwan relationship, regardless of politics in Taiwan. But, as I told her, we need KMT to join with the DPP to finish the defense budget and support the Alaska LNG project,” he said.

Sullivan, also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has long been involved in defense and Indo-Pacific security issues. He has repeatedly voiced support for arms sales to Taiwan and has called on the nation to continue bolstering its defense capabilities to improve deterrence.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES