U.S. Senate Committee to Review Four Bills Backing Taiwan
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled a markup hearing on October 22 to review a series of measures, including four bills directly supporting Taiwan, according to the committee’s website.
Fast-Track Arms Sales
The PORCUPINE Act would treat Taiwan like “NATO Plus” partners — such as Israel, Japan, South Korea, and Australia — to accelerate U.S. and allied arms sales and transfers. It amends the Arms Export Control Act to shorten certification and notification periods, streamline licensing, and ease the transfer of military equipment, aiming to address a backlog of roughly US$21 billion in arms sales to Taiwan. The bill also establishes an expedited process for third-party transfers of defense articles and services from NATO member states to “NATO Plus” partners and Taiwan.
Protecting Taiwan’s Status
The Taiwan International Solidarity Act counters China’s attempts to distort international rules and UN procedures concerning Taiwan. It clarifies that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, recognized the government of People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) as the sole lawful representative of “China” at the UN, but did not determine Taiwan’s status or representation. The bill reaffirms that any change to Taiwan’s status must have the consent of the people of Taiwan.
Sanctions on Standby
The Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act would establish economic tools and a dedicated sanctions task force to enable rapid U.S. action if the PRC undertakes military or non-military aggression against Taiwan — such as cyberattacks, a blockade, seizure of outlying islands, attempts to overthrow Taiwan’s government, or violations of its territorial integrity. The measure also mandates annual reporting, close coordination with allies, and parallel economic support for Taiwan and other countries facing PRC pressure.
Backing Taiwan’s Allies
The United States–Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act supports the seven Latin American and Caribbean countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, countering PRC efforts to flip ties. The measure seeks to safeguard sovereign foreign-policy decisions from Chinese coercion or financial manipulation and to strengthen U.S.–Taiwan cooperation on development and economic engagement in the region.
Sources:
[1] Senate Foreign Relations Committee
[2] Taipei Times
Taiwan to Commission First Batch of U.S.-Made Abrams Tanks
On September 24, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks, procured from the United States and praised as the “world’s strongest tank,” will be commissioned in October after completing re-equipment training and live-fire exercises. The purchase is part of a 2019 deal for 108 tanks valued at NT$40.5 billion (US$1.34 billion), with all deliveries to be completed by 2027.
Why It Matters
The Abrams tanks provide Taiwan with a modern, highly survivable platform that strengthens its ability to withstand and counter armored assaults by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Their integration into Taiwan’s forces marks a strategic shift from aging Cold War–era systems to advanced U.S. equipment, underscoring Taiwan’s growing interoperability with U.S.-made systems and America’s continued support for Taiwan’s security.
Implications
The commissioning of Abrams underscores Taiwan’s push to modernize its ground forces and reinforce deterrence against Chinese military pressure. By deepening U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation, the deployment sends a strong signal of credibility and resilience to Beijing and reassurance to regional partners of Taiwan’s defense posture.
Background
The Abrams, among the most advanced tanks in service, will be deployed with the Sixth Army Corps to bolster northern Taiwan’s defenses, replacing the aging CM-11 Brave Tigers (a hybrid of M48 and M60 tanks) and M60A3 tanks, many of which have been in service for more than two decades. Originally slated for delivery in 2023, the Abrams faced significant delays due to production bottlenecks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Washington’s prioritization of Ukraine.
Training and Deliveries
The first 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks arrived in Taiwan in December 2024. On July 10, 2025, four tanks from the 584th Brigade fired 19 rounds at the Kengzikou Range in Hsinchu County, hitting all targets with the Hunter-Killer system. A second batch of 42 tanks was delivered that July, with the final 28 scheduled to arrive early next year. Each batch undergoes phased training before commissioning to ensure operational readiness. In addition to acquiring M1A2T tanks, the military has upgraded its M60A3s with new engines and a modernized cannon system to provide a “hunter-killer” capability.
