TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a historic military upgrade, Taiwan eagerly anticipates the mid-December arrival of its first batch of M1A2T Abrams tanks, marking the nation's first new tank acquisition in three decades. This NT$40.5 billion purchase from the U.S. includes 108 state-of-the-art tanks, with training scheduled to start post-Lunar New Year 2025, according to the Central News Agency (CNA).
The Taiwanese army currently operates around 1,000 tanks, including M60A3 and CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks, most of which have been in service for over two decades. The MND plans to receive the M1A2T tanks in three phases between 2023 and 2026, with 38 units arriving this year, 42 in 2025, and 28 in 2026. The M1A2T tanks will primarily be stationed in Taoyuan and Hsinchu, strengthening the defense capabilities of the northern region.
The M1A2T, a Taiwan-specific variant of the M1A2 series, features a 1,500-horsepower AGT-1500 gas turbine engine, reaching speeds of up to 67 kph. It is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore gun capable of penetrating 850 mm of homogeneous steel armor within effective range and boasts enhanced composite armor. The tanks' arrival is seen as a crucial enhancement of Taiwan's ground combat capabilities, boosting both protection and firepower.