Southeast Asia Partnership Expansion Act

To extend and modify a pilot program to improve cyber cooperation with foreign military partners in Southeast Asia. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Southeast Asia Partnership Expansion Act 2. Extension and modification of pilot program to improve cyber cooperation with foreign military partners in Southeast Asia (a) In general Subsection (a) of section 1256 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 ( Public Law 116–283 10 U.S.C. 333 (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia with covered foreign military partners (2) in paragraph (1)— (A) by inserting defensive cyber (B) by striking Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia covered foreign military partners (3) in paragraph (2), by striking Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia on covered foreign military partners on defensive (b) Elements Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia covered foreign military partners (2) in paragraph (2), by striking Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia covered foreign military partners (c) Reports Subsection (c)(2)(B) of such section is amended by striking Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia covered foreign military partners (d) Certification Subsection (d) of such section is amended— (1) by inserting with any covered foreign military partner scheduled to commence (2) by striking Vietnam, Indonesia, or Thailand the covered foreign military partner (e) Extension Subsection (e) of such section is amended by striking December 31, 2024 December 31, 2029 (f) Definitions Subsection (f) of such section is amended to read as follows: (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) Covered foreign military partner The term covered foreign military partner (A) Vietnam; (B) Thailand; (C) Indonesia; (D) the Philippines; and (E) Malaysia. . (g) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1256 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 ( Public Law 116–283 10 U.S.C. 333 Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia covered foreign military partners in Southeast Asia (2) The table of contents for the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 ( Public Law 116–283 Sec. 1256. Pilot program to improve cyber cooperation with covered foreign military partners in Southeast Asia. . (3) The table of contents for title XII of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 ( Public Law 116–283 Sec. 1256. Pilot program to improve cyber cooperation with covered foreign military partners in Southeast Asia. .

Summary: Southeast Asia Partnership Expansion Act This bill expands a Department of Defense (DOD) program that focuses on improving cyber readiness and cooperation with the military forces of certain Southeast Asian countries. DOD currently has authority to conduct a pilot program to (1) enhance the cyber security, resilience, and readiness of the military forces of Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia; and (2) increase regional cooperation on cyber issues between the United States and these countries. The bill expands this program to include the military forces of the Philippines and Malaysia, extends the program through 2029, and establishes that the cyber enhancements are to be defensive.