TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The military revealed it plans to send a five-member delegation to the US next year to establish communication channels with defense research institutions and gain practical industry experience.

The group will travel to the US for a nine-day visit next May, stopping at the Pentagon’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Office of Net Assessment, among other relevant agencies and private defense technology innovation firms, Liberty Times reported. The delegation is also scheduled to meet with US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) representatives.

The trip will facilitate smoother execution of Taiwan's defense goals and enhance capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.

In February, the MND established the Defense Innovation Group to evaluate innovative concepts, introduce civilian technologies, and enhance defense capabilities. The group is staffed by military and civilian personnel and recruits academics and industry experts to provide consultation on the feasibility of new technologies.

The group is focused on developing advanced technology including unmanned vehicles and cyber warfare.

In terms of military training cooperation, the US Department of Defense is requesting flexibility from Congress to use its special forces in supporting American allies, including Taiwan. Under a new proposal, the US Special Operations Command would be able to provide training and equipment to foreign partners to counter “potential future threats,” Business Insider reported.

Green Berets and Marine Raiders specialize in training US partners and could help Taiwanese troops turn the tide in a potential cross-strait conflict.  

Taiwan approved its highest-ever defense budget for 2025 last month. The Cabinet revealed that the military will receive NT$647 billion (US$ 20.09 billion) next year, which is a 7.7% year-on-year increase and accounts for 2.45% of Taiwan’s GDP.