Sponsors (5)
Official title: Promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Introduced March 26, 2026 by Jeff Merkley · Last progress March 26, 2026
The bill accelerates PRC‑independent UAS supply chains and U.S.–Taiwan defense industrial cooperation—boosting military security and market opportunities—while raising costs, administrative burdens, and geopolitical and technology‑security risks that could constrain future policy flexibility.
U.S. military and allied forces gain expanded access to PRC‑independent UAS components and sustainment support, reducing cybersecurity and operational risks and improving interoperability.
Taiwanese and U.S. tech firms and small defense suppliers receive faster market access, export opportunities, and potential new manufacturing work through accelerated certification, reciprocal testing, and co-production ties.
Expanding domestic testing, Army organic industrial base collaboration, and fast-tracked certification speeds deployment and increases U.S. production and sustainment capacity for vetted UAS components.
Deeper U.S.–Taiwan defense cooperation and prioritizing PRC‑independent supply chains could escalate tensions with the PRC, increasing geopolitical and economic risks for Americans and allies.
Supporting Taiwan co-production, fast-tracking certifications, and shifting procurement may raise U.S. defense spending and increase procurement costs for governments, allies, and some suppliers.
Sharing technical requirements, faster approvals, or reciprocal standards risks technology leakage or insufficient vetting, potentially exposing U.S. systems and sensitive capabilities.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Directs the State and Defense Departments to set up a working group, create a regional cooperation framework, and fast‑track certification and export reviews so Taiwan can supply PRC‑independent "Blue" UAS components.
Creates a U.S.-led program to boost Taiwan’s production and certification of “Blue” unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and components that are free of PRC-linked supply chains, and to integrate Taiwan into regional supply-chain and testing efforts. It directs the State Department, working with Defense, to form a working group, produce reports, set up a cooperative industrial framework with allies, and establish a fast-track certification and export-control review process for Taiwanese Blue UAS firms. The bill focuses on assessments, regulatory and export-control streamlining, pilot co-development/co-production opportunities, and potential collaboration with the U.S. Army organic industrial base for testing, sustainment, and incorporation of Taiwan-made UAS parts into allied systems. It clarifies it does not change longstanding U.S. Taiwan policy or Taiwan’s international status.