US : Senate approves the Porcupine Act to expedite Taiwan’s defense purchases

US: According to Focus Taiwan, the Porcupine Act was approved by the US Senate in order to expedite US defense sales and facilitate the transfer of military hardware to Taiwan by US allies.

Last Monday, the Senate unanimously approved the law, which is officially known as the Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act. The US House of Representatives will now address it. It will be forwarded to the president for signing before becoming law if it is approved in the same form.

The bill modifies the Arms Export Control Act to make Taiwan one of the nations that may acquire weapons with shorter notice and reporting requirements. According to Focus Taiwan, it also aims to expedite licensing processes for US allies who want to transfer military equipment to Taiwan.

Taiwan, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand—collectively referred to as “NATO Plus”—would be treated similarly to NATO members under the measure.

The measure also mandates that the US Secretary of State determine whether to establish an accelerated approval procedure for third-party transfers of defense services and weapons to Taiwan within ninety days of the law’s enactment. This would include weapons of US origin sold or supplied via military or commercial channels, as well as transfers from NATO and NATO Plus nations.

A Taiwan advocacy organization located in Washington, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, applauded the Senate’s action. the measure “removes critical bureaucratic hurdles to arming Taiwan, ensuring Taiwan maintains the capabilities necessary to deter invasion” by China, the organization said in a statement, according to Focus Taiwan.

If enacted, the Porcupine Act would also create a formal mechanism to facilitate third-party transfers of US-made defence equipment, expanding the group of countries able to support Taiwan’s defence and strengthening its ability to deter threats from China.