TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Army mobilized six M1A2T Abrams tanks across two civilian bridges in Hsinchu early Wednesday (May 20), directly challenging recent criticism from a former national security chief who claimed the American-made tanks would damage Taiwan's infrastructure.
Former National Security Bureau Director Lee Hsiang-chou (李翔宙) had questioned whether the tanks, which he characterized as weighing 70 tons (approximately 154,323 pounds), could safely cross bridges without causing structural damage. He claimed they would compromise more than 40 percent of Taiwan's bridges.
The predawn exercise marked the second off-base combat readiness patrol since the 584 Combined Arms Brigade's M1A2T battalion activated in October 2025, according to official reports. The mechanized combat team comprised six tanks along with CM33 and CM34 Clouded Leopard armored vehicles and TOW missile-equipped Humvees. The force mobilized approximately 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) from Hukou (湖口) to the Hsinchu Air Base area (新竹空軍基地).
The tank convoy crossed Baidi Bridge (白地橋) and Jiugang Bridge (舊港大橋) over the Touqian River (頭前溪) basin using staggered formations. Each vehicle crossed individually to distribute loading and reduce vulnerability to potential enemy fire, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Huang Chen-yung (黃禎詠) said.
Sources provided conflicting weight specifications for the tanks. Official Army reports described them as weighing 63 tons (approximately 138,891 pounds), while other accounts characterized them as approaching 70 tons. The discrepancy likely reflects the difference between base weight and combat-loaded configuration.
Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Chang Chia-hsien (張嘉顯) said the M1A2T fleet maintains an operational readiness rate above 96 percent. His statement addressed anonymous online reports that had questioned maintenance sustainability after just over one year of service.
Chang acknowledged that Taiwan's hot and humid island climate requires regular use of dehumidifiers to protect the tanks' systems, but characterized all equipment wear as normal operational deterioration. Parts resupply has been distributed to all bases, he said, and repairs follow standard procedures in coordination with U.S. technical representatives.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which enemy forces had seized Hsinchu Air Base, requiring rapid armored response to recapture critical infrastructure. The Nanliao area (南寮), including the airfield, represents a key defensive chokepoint in northern Taiwan against potential amphibious landings or airborne assaults.
The Army did not disclose the official load ratings of the bridges crossed or specify whether they represent typical Taiwanese infrastructure or were selected for their structural capacity. It also remained unclear whether Lee had responded to the demonstration or maintained his criticism of the procurement. ◼