NDAA26 authorizes $1 billion to bolster Taiwan defense

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026 authorizes $1 billion to boost Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities aimed at deterring China’s invasion threats.

Besides funding the U.S. government’s Taiwan security cooperation initiative, the newly passed defense policy measure also authorizes U.S. forces to continue

their joint training with Taiwan other partner nations to counter the People’s Liberation Army’s “aggression and malign influence.”

The U.S. has been ramping up its involvement in Taiwan’s military training and national exercises over the years.

A source told the Pacific Island Times that dozens of Taiwanese Marines quietly participated in a U.S. military exercise on Guam in September.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command neither confirmed nor denied the joint exercise.

“Consistent with longstanding policy, we do not discuss any engagements with Taiwan,” Lt. Cmdr. Chloe Morgan said in an email on Sept. 24.  “We can confirm that U.S. Marines from the 3d Marine Division’s 4th Marines Regiment conducted training in Guam, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The defense policy bill requires the Pentagon to develop a joint drone program with Taiwan, and the U.S. Coast Guard to develop a plan for increased integrated training opportunities with the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.

While it maintains its one-China policy, the United States is one of Taiwan’s most important allies by virtue of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, which authorize U.S. arms sales to the democratically governed island.

The NDAA articulates the strengthening of the U.S.-Taiwan relations through these agreements.

Beijing insists Taiwan is a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under control.