TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Austin J. Dahmer, nominated for United States Assistant Secretary of Defense, emphasized the U.S. Department of Defense's swift action to ensure Taiwan's self-defense capabilities during a hearing on Wednesday (Nov. 5). The U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services addressed personnel matters, including Dahmer's nomination, while Sen. Ted Budd expressed concerns over the delivery progress of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan.
Dahmer stressed the need for Taiwan to significantly increase its defense budget and expedite the acquisition of appropriate weapons and systems to deter Chinese aggression. He stated that the U.S. and Taiwan do not stand alone in deterring China's disruptive actions in the Indo-Pacific region, urging stronger support for allies and partners. Dahmer also noted the critical role of U.S. military deployments in the Philippines in maintaining deterrence and strategy in the Western Pacific.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in 2020 the sale of 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan. By June, Taiwan received the first batch, consisting of five missile launch vehicles and one command vehicle. Dahmer, in his written response, highlighted the U.S. strategy of denial, combining various military forces to support Taiwan's multilayered defense against potential Chinese attacks. If confirmed, Dahmer intends to continue advancing these efforts, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to regional stability.