[Politics] US NDAA Restructures Defense Line, Taiwan and Philippines Included in "First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative"
bella@@ 央廣 新聞3h agoEdited
According to reports, the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services has passed the review of the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027" (NDAA), which jointly includes Taiwan and the Philippines in the defense framework of the "First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative." Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Chi-chang stated that this move is a change in name and expansion of scope, with no change in the substantive mechanism. Regarding the "War Reserve Stockpile Program" within it, Hsu Chi-chang said that as this is new information, they will continue to communicate the details with the U.S. side. #Reporter Yang Jen-hsiang reporting# There are reports that the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services has completed the review of the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027." For the first time, breaking the tradition of viewing Taiwan and the Philippines as separate defense entities, both countries have been jointly included in a joint defense framework called the "First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative," replacing the previous "Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI)."
In response, Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Chi-chang 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 appears the U.S. side has changed the name, expanded the funding amount, scope, and applicable objects, but the content and mechanism itself have not changed, nor will Taiwan be excluded.
Furthermore, in the 2027 NDAA, the U.S. Congress will also formally authorize the Pentagon to establish a new "War Reserve Stockpile Program" for the First Island Chain. Hsu Chi-chang explained that the relevant content is still under review. Hsu Chi-chang 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 U.S. side about this later."
Regarding President Lai Ching-te's emphasis on not abandoning the deleted portions of the "Special Defense Budget" during his inspection of the Guanzhi Command on the 16th, and his statement that support for the armed forces will be provided through supplementary budgets or increased general budgets, Hsu Chi-chang explained that the armed forces' operational needs for unmanned vehicles and counter-unmanned aerial systems have always existed and will only increase. Therefore, they will proceed according to the guidance of the Executive Yuan. Hsu Chi-chang 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 armed forces are entering 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 drones, and HIMARS (Volcano) mine-laying systems procured from the U.S., which will be delivered successively, there is public concern about potential issues with the reception of a large quantity of weapons. Hsu Chi-chang explained that before any new weapons are delivered, the armed forces 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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