Taiwan admits paying for retired US general to observe largest annual war games

Taiwan’s defence ministry has confirmed for the first time that it has allocated funding for the US Indo-Pacific Command to send a retired general and other personnel to observe the island’s largest annual war games.The disclosure sheds rare official light on military exchanges that Taipei and Washington have traditionally kept out of public view, as security cooperation between the two sides deepens amid growing pressure from Beijing.According to a defence ministry report submitted to the legislature last week, NT$82.4 million (US$2.5 million) has been allocated for a programme covering the Han Kuang exercises in 2026 and 2027, including NT$41.219 million this year.The Annual Assessment by Senior Observers and Exchanges programme pays for a retired American general to serve as a senior observer during the exercises, as well as a delegation of military professionals and civilian personnel organised by the US Indo-Pacific Command.