A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to seek to engage appropriate officials of Taiwan in a joint program with Taiwan to enable the fielding of uncrewed systems and counter-uncrewed systems capabilities.
Term Dictionary
If you come across any unfamiliar words while reading, these resources can help make everything clearer. Pick whichever one works best for you!
- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
Directs the Pentagon to launch a joint US-Taiwan program to co-develop and co-produce drones and anti-drone systems, strengthening both militaries against potential Chinese aggression.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: Taiwan's military, US defense contractors making uncrewed systems, Indo-Pacific deterrence strategy.
- Loses: China (views as provocation), lawmakers favoring reduced overseas military entanglements.
What it does
- Sets a March 1, 2026 deadline for the Defense Secretary to engage Taiwan officials.
- Authorizes co-development and co-production of drones and counter-drone tech for both armed forces.
- Requires annual reports to Congress through 2029 tracking progress.
- Pushes finalization of five defense trade agreements, including reciprocal procurement and cybersecurity certification.
Why should I care?
Supporters say drone warfare is reshaping conflict (see Ukraine), and helping Taiwan deter China protects a key democracy and global chip supply. Critics argue deeper military ties risk provoking China into faster action and entangling the US in another distant conflict. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.