[Politics] US 'National Defense Authorization Act' Reorganizes Defense Line, Taiwan and Philippines Included in 'First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative'
bellala 央廣7h agoEdited
According to reports, the US Senate Committee on Armed Services has passed the review of the provisions of the 'National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027' (NDAA), jointly including Taiwan and the Philippines in the joint defense framework of the 'First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative'. Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Kuei-lin stated that this move is a change in name and expansion of scope, with the substantive mechanism remaining unchanged. Regarding the 'War Reserve Stockpile Program' within it, Hsu Kuei-lin said that as it is new information, they will continue to communicate the relevant details with the US side. #Reporter Yang Jen-hsiang reporting#
There are reports that the US Senate Committee on Armed Services has completed the review of the provisions of the 'National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027'. For the first time, breaking the tradition of viewing Taiwan and the Philippines as independent defense entities, both countries have been jointly included in a joint defense framework named the 'First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative', replacing the previous 'Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative'.
In response, Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Kuei-lin stated at a legislative hearing on the 17th that the original 'Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative' (TSCI) aimed to assist Taiwan in countering regional threats through concrete actions such as funding authorization, joint training, and arms stockpiling. Currently, it is observed that the US side is changing the name, expanding the amount of aid, scope, and applicable objects, but the content and mechanism itself have not changed, and Taiwan will not be excluded.
Furthermore, in the 2027 NDAA, the US Congress will also formally authorize the Pentagon to create a new 'War Reserve Stockpile Program' for the First Island Chain. Hsu Kuei-lin explained that the relevant content is still under review. Hsu Kuei-lin said: '(Original sound) Regarding the matter of ammunition stockpiling, it refers to the entire First Island Chain, including Taiwan. Because we have just seen the (information) and do not yet understand what it means, we will continue to communicate with the US side on this matter.'
Regarding President Lai Ching-te's emphasis on not abandoning the deleted portions of the 'Special Defense Budget' during his inspection of the Command and Control Division on the 16th, and his statement that support for the national army will be provided through supplementary budgets or increased general budgets, Hsu Kuei-lin explained that the national army's operational needs for unmanned vehicles and counter-unmanned aerial systems have always existed and will only increase, and will be handled according to the guidance of the Executive Yuan. Hsu Kuei-lin said: '(Original sound) Unmanned systems and counter-unmanned systems are indispensable in modern warfare and are leading the new development trends of modern battlefields. Therefore, we must establish them no matter what.'
As the national army will enter a peak period for receiving new weapons by the end of this year, including the new F-16V BLK70 fighter jets, MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance drones, and Volcano mine-laying systems procured from the US, which will be delivered successively, there are concerns about potential issues with the reception of a large number of weapons. Hsu Kuei-lin explained that before any new weapons are delivered, the national army will simultaneously conduct training for their reception and will not wait until the weapons arrive. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=214976
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