Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
TSCI
SC
Yes
Temporary
Section 1323 of P.L. 118-159, as amended
Benefitting Partner Specific
Provides:
- Equipment
- Technical Assistance
- Training
TSCI.1.1. The Secretary of War (SECWAR), with concurrence from the Secretary of State (SECSTATE) may provide, via the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI), defense articles, services, and training, as described in Section 1323 of P.L. 118-159, to Taiwan’s military, central security forces, and central security agencies, along with central civilian authorities that support military, central security agencies and central security forces.
TSCI.1.2. As described in Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159, the SECWAR, with the concurrence of the SECSTATE, may also accept, manage, and expend contributions, including funds and defense articles and defense services, from foreign governments for mutually agreed upon purposes in support of TSCI efforts.
TSCI.1.3. Chapter 15 provides general guidance for Building Partner Capacity (BPC) Programs using the Defense Security Assistance Management System-BPC Module. Program specific guidance is provided below.
TSCI.2.1. Provision of defense articles, services, and training must be consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.).
TSCI.2.2. In support of the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI), funds accepted under Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159 shall be placed in an account established for such purpose and shall remain available for the following two fiscal years for the established mutually agreed upon purposes with the foreign government making the contribution. The Secretary of War (SECWAR) will establish separate sub-accounts for each foreign government.
TSCI.2.3. Funds accepted or otherwise made available under Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159 may not be expended, in whole or in part, for any purpose for which Congress has previously denied funds.
TSCI.3.1. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. DSCA (Office of International Operations, Regional Execution Directorate, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) Division (IOPS/REX/PACOM)) ensures each Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) requirement to procure and provide defense articles and services uses a Building Partner Capacity (BPC) Letter of Offer and Acceptance, including any subsequent amendments (also known as a BPC case) to complement Benefitting Partner Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases (including those funded with Foreign Military Financing (FMF)). DSCA tasks Implementing Agencies (IAs) to develop BPC cases as necessary, with email direction being provided in lieu of a Memorandum of Request (MOR). DSCA also leads feasibility reviews to ensure materiel provided to Taiwan is releasable and addresses critical capability gaps.
TSCI.3.2. Office of the Under Secretary of War for Policy. Office of the Under Secretary of War for Policy (OUSW(P)) Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (IPSA) serves as lead point of contact (POC) within OUSW(P) for Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) matters. IPSA coordinates closely with regional OUSW(P) offices, the geographic Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Joint Staff, DSCA, and Department of State (State). IPSA provides functional subject matter expertise specific to the area of responsibility, including planning and prioritizing security cooperation (SC) activities for Under Secretary of War for Policy (USW(P)) approval. IPSA drafts and coordinates TSCI Congressional Notifications (CNs) throughout DoW and the U.S. interagency with support from DSCA and briefs congressional staff.
TSCI.3.3. Department of State (Political-Military Bureau). Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Security Assistance (State (PM/SA)) facilitates State coordination with DoW offices, agencies, and entities to ensure Title 10 investments and activities are complementary to State Title 22 efforts and consistent with foreign policy. PM/SA reviews and coordinates Secretary of State (SECSTATE) concurrence with annual TSCI programs ahead of Congressional Notification (CN).
TSCI.3.4. Commander, United States Pacific Command. USPACOM provides geographic CCMD oversight of planning, prioritization, and execution. USPACOM prioritizes activities and projects under the annual TSCI program ahead of OUSW(P)’s review and approval. USPACOM ensures annual TSCI programs are aligned with the Combatant Commander’s intent, strategy, and plans. USPACOM serves as lead POC for U.S. Military Group (MILGP) and OUSW(P) community as it pertains to Significate Security Cooperation Initiative (SSCI) and Initiative Design Document (IDD) development.
TSCI.3.5. American Institute in Taiwan/Security Cooperation Agency. The American Institute of Taiwan (AIT)/MILGP supports USPACOM through each phase of the BPC case process from planning to the transfer of materiel or provision of services and interacts closely with Benefitting Partner security forces. The MILGP is entrusted with communicating BPC program objectives and requirements to Benefitting Partner representatives and soliciting information from the Benefitting Partner. See Table C15.T1. for a summary listing of MILGP responsibilities.
TSCI.3.6. Implementing Agencies. During the planning cycle, IAs provide technical advice to other stakeholders on requirements and suggest best fit technology in terms of interoperability, capability, cost, schedule, and performance. IAs can provide early rough order of magnitude costs for the total package approach and assist with estimates for life cycle management costs. Upon Congressional approval, IAs execute the program and draft the case within 60 days for DSCA review or provide written justification of why the case has not yet been developed and provide a timeline of when it will be developed, and when funding will be obligated.
TSCI.4.1. DoW entities who are requesting funds will also need to coordinate with State and secure approval from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) before activities will be considered as part of the annual Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) program.
TSCI.4.2. Contributions. As authorized by Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159, foreign governments may provide contributions, including funds and defense articles and defense services, to be used for mutually agreed upon purposes to carry out security cooperation programs and activities of the DoW, including TSCI authorized by Section 1323 of P.L. 118-159. Funds received under Section 1208 must align to the mutually agreed upon purposes and are treated as national funds. Articles accepted under Section 1208 shall be placed in USG inventory.
TSCI.5.1. Not later than 15 days before providing assistance or support under the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI), the Secretary of War (SECWAR) will submit to the Congressional defense committees, the Congressional appropriations committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a notification containing the recipient Benefitting Partner; a detailed description of the assistance or support to be provided, including the objectives of such assistance or support; the impact on USG inventory and readiness; the budget for such assistance or support; the expected or estimated timeline for delivery of such assistance or support; and any other matters as the SECWAR considers appropriate.
TSCI.5.2. Not later than 48 hours after receiving a contribution under Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159, the SECWAR shall provide to the Congressional defense committees, the Congressional appropriations committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a written notification containing the foreign government making the contribution; the mutually agreed upon purpose for the contribution; the process and anticipated timeline for the use of the contribution; and any other condition or limitation placed on the contribution by the foreign government.
TSCI.6.1. Each Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) requirement to procure and provide defense articles and services is executed via a Building Partner Capacity (BPC) Letter of Offer and Acceptance, including any subsequent amendments, also known as a BPC case. These BPC cases are subject to the BPC case development guidance provided in Chapter 15.
TSCI.7.1. Foreign Military Training Report. All training conducted under the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) is subject to inclusion in the annual Foreign Military Training Report (FMTR). See Section C10.21.2. for more information.
TSCI.7.2. Not later than March 1, 2026, and March 1 of each year thereafter through 2030, the Secretary of War (SECWAR) shall submit to the Congressional defense committees, the Congressional appropriations committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on any funds accepted or expended under Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159 during the preceding calendar year, including an identification of the foreign government or governments involved in contributions; the amount of funds, equipment, or type of services provided by the foreign government; the amount of any remaining unobligated balance or accepted equipment remaining in U.S. inventory; a description of the purpose of such contributions; and a description of any written agreement entered into a country under Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159, including the date on which the agreement was signed.
TSCI.7.3. Not later than 30 days after the signature, conclusion, or other finalization of any non-binding instrument related to the implementation of this section, the President shall submit to the Congressional defense committees, the Congressional appropriations committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives the text of such agreement or instrument
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
Program | Program | Purpose | Fund Source | Appropriation | Appropriation | Funds Availability | *Funds Cancel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZL | Section 1323 of P.L. 118-159 | To enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, including through one or more of the following: (A) The capabilities of the military, central government security forces, and central government security agencies of Taiwan to defend against coercion and aggression; or (B) The ability of the civilian central governmental institutions of Taiwan to provide oversight and support, ensure accountability of, or manage such forces. | 97 XX 0100 | Yearly Appropriation Public Laws | FYXXXX (One-Year O&M) | Final fiscal year of the appropriation's period of availability | Five fiscal years after period of availability ends |
97 25 0100 | FY2025 (One-Year O&M) | 2025 | 2030 | ||||
ZN | 97 XX 0100 | Yearly Appropriation Public Laws | FYXXXX (Two-Year O&M) | Final fiscal year of the appropriation's period of availability | Five fiscal years after period of availability ends | ||
97 26/27 0100 | FY26/27 (Two-Year O&M) | 2027 | 2032 |
Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative - Joint Acquisitions for Defense Enhancements
Program | Program | Purpose | Fund Source | Appropriation | Appropriation | Funds Availability Ends on September 30 | Funds Cancel on September 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZH | Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159 | For mutually agreed upon purposes as consistent with Section 1323 of P.L. 118-159. | 97 ## 5748 | Yearly Appropriation Public Laws | FYXXXX (Three-Year Special Fund- TSCI) | Final fiscal year of the appropriation's period of availability | Five fiscal years after period of availability ends |
97 26/27/28 5748 | Section 1208 of P.L. 118-159 | FY26/27/28 (Three-Year Special Fund- TSCI) | 2028 | 2033 |
TSCI.9.1. N/A.