First batch of Abrams tanks arrives in Taiwan

In a move that’s sending shockwaves across the Asia-Pacific region, the first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks has arrived in Taiwan, marking the first time the US has sent this type of armor to the island in 30 years. The tanks, which are variants of the M1 Abrams, the main combat tank of the US Army, arrived at Taipei port on Sunday, December 15, and were then transported to a Taiwanese Army training center located in northern Hsinchu County.

The December 16 delivery is the first batch of 108 M1A2T tanks and related equipment that the U.S. government approved to sell to Taiwan in 2019. The 108 M1A2Ts manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems are valued at NT$40.5 billion (US$1.25 billion). According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, two more batches, the first numbering 42 tanks, will be delivered in the next two years.

The last batch of U.S.-made tanks delivered to Taiwan were M60A3 main battle tanks. Shipments of M60A3 began in 1995, and the final delivery came in 2001, according to Taiwan’s Army.

What we know about the M1A2T Abrams: The M1A2T Abrams tanks are equipped with 120-millimeter smoothbore guns that can penetrate 850-millimeter-thick armor and withstand shells fired from most battle tanks.

The Abrams tanks are a major upgrade to Taiwan’s armor capabilities and tank force, which previously consisted of around 1,000 Taiwan-made CM 11 Brave Tiger and US-made M60A3 tanks, technology that is increasingly obsolete.

Taiwan faces the constant threat of an invasion by China, which has refused to rule out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

 So, how will China respond to this move? China’s foreign ministry on Monday urged the United States to “stop arming Taiwan… and supporting Taiwan independence forces”.

“The Taiwan authorities’ attempt to seek independence through force and foreign help is doomed to fail,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

“China will firmly defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”

While China has a homegrown defense industry and has been upgrading its equipment, Taiwan relies heavily on US arms sales to bolster its security capabilities.

Taiwan is not slowing down with its defense boast as Taipei allocated a record $19 billion for 2024, and next year’s budget is set to hit a new high as it seeks to bolster its defense approach.

China, on the other hand, has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, regularly deploying fighter jets and warships around the island.

Taiwanese authorities said last week that China had held its biggest maritime drills in years, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea.

Will Taiwan’s bold move lead to a more stable and secure region, or will it spark a devastating conflict? The world watches with bated breath as the future of regional and global security hangs in the balance.