TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Army deployed its new M1A2T main battle tanks for the first time Tuesday (Dec. 23) in a battalion-level exercise in Hsinchu, a northern Taiwan county, dispelling concerns about potential road damage from the 66-69 ton vehicles. The Army's 584 Armor Brigade (584旅) conducted a readiness reconnaissance exercise, showcasing the tanks' mobility and stability. The deployment marks the first major field operation since the unit received the American-made tanks in October.
The exercise emphasized the protection of key military targets and showcased the armored force's mobility and rapid deployment capabilities, according to the Military News Agency (MNA, 軍聞社), Taiwan's official military news service. The M1A2T tanks operated alongside CM32, CM33, and CM34 Clouded Leopard infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), CM22 mortar carriers, and TOW 2B missile Humvees during the comprehensive drill. The coordinated multi-vehicle deployment demonstrated Taiwan's combined arms capabilities and operational readiness amid rising regional security tensions.
The M1A2T is the Army's heaviest tank and exceeds Taiwan's typical bridge capacity of 30-45 tons. The tanks' tracks distribute pressure over a large area, averaging 15 PSI, which is lower than the 30 PSI typically found in four-wheeled cars. The exercise performance dispelled concerns about road and bridge damage, demonstrating the tanks' stability and adaptability on Taiwan's infrastructure.
Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) acknowledged that short-term crossings may not immediately damage infrastructure. The opposition legislator raised concerns that many bridges in Taiwan, designed for lower capacities, might struggle with the new tanks. She noted that most bridges in Taiwan were not designed to handle vehicles considered overweight by local engineering standards.
Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), director of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR, 國防安全研究院), a government-affiliated think tank, emphasized that Taiwan should adopt NATO bridge-crossing protocols. The M1A2T's tracks distribute pressure over a large area, averaging 15 PSI compared to 30 PSI for typical four-wheeled vehicles. Su recommended increasing vehicle spacing when crossing bridges to distribute convoy weight and reduce structural stress.
"NATO countries handle this by increasing the distance between vehicles when crossing bridges," Su stated, citing international military best practices. "This spreads out the weight of the convoy, reduces stress on the bridge deck, and helps ensure structural safety." The spacing protocol enables heavy military vehicles to safely cross civilian infrastructure, which is typically designed for lighter commercial and passenger loads, without causing immediate structural damage.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) activated the 584 Armor Brigade's 3rd Combined Arms Battalion in October, making it the first unit to receive M1A2T tanks. The new tanks replace CM11 tanks that served as the Republic of China Army's main battle tanks for decades. The activation ceremony marked a significant milestone in Taiwan's military modernization efforts.
Taiwan allocated NT$40.52415 billion (around US$1.29 billion) for the procurement of 108 M1A2T tanks from the United States between 2019 and 2027. Currently, 80 tanks have arrived in Taiwan, with the next batch expected in the first quarter of 2026. The new-generation tanks bolster the Army's defensive capabilities and enhance overall combat strength against potential regional threats. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.5)