TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's M1A2T tanks lack the U.S. Battlefield Management System, forcing reliance on voice communication for command operations, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) warned Thursday (Nov. 13). The oversight creates scenarios where multiple tanks target single objectives, undermining strategic efficiency and modern combat potential. Wang raised concerns after visiting the Armored Training Command this week.
Wang emphasized the tanks cannot execute modern command and control operations without the Battlefield Management System (BMS). The absence of BMS wastes the tanks' combat potential despite nearing completion of second-batch training. Modern command links and real-time information analysis remain crucial for efficient resource allocation, Wang stated.
Training programs excluded the BMS, potentially creating combat readiness gaps if installed later. Army officials confirmed M1A2T tanks were not initially equipped with U.S. BMS but plan integration into Taiwan's command systems. Officials emphasized Taiwan must adjust command systems for digital control over intelligence, command, and firepower. ◼