As part of efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s defensive capabilities, the United States has delivered the second batch of 42 M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks to the Taiwanese Army. This operation, carried out under a 2019 agreement for the supply of 108 units, proceeded according to schedule and is intended to bolster the Army’s Sixth Corps, responsible for the defense of the island’s northern region.
The batch arrived at the port of Taipei on the night of July 27 and was transferred in the early hours of the following morning to the Hukou Armored Training Command in Hsinchu County. The tanks, covered with black waterproof tarps, were transported on semi-trailers and escorted by police and military vehicles along the west coast highway, in a large-scale operation that included road closures along several segments of the route.
With this delivery, Taiwan’s Army now possesses 80 M1A2T Abrams tanks. The first batch, comprising 38 units, was received in late 2024 and was also assigned to the Hsinchu training base. The third and final shipment, consisting of 28 vehicles, is scheduled for the coming months and will complete the agreement, valued at approximately $1.38 billion.
The purchase of these tanks represents Taiwan’s first acquisition of new armored vehicles in more than three decades. Currently, its armored forces include around 1,000 combat tanks, including the domestically produced CM-11 Brave Tiger and the U.S.-made M60A3. Despite modernization efforts, both models have been in service for decades, highlighting the need to incorporate more modern platforms.
The arrival of this second batch comes amid growing tensions with the People’s Republic of China, which does not rule out the use of force to bring the island under its control. In this context, the United States—Taiwan’s main arms supplier—is reinforcing its strategic support to Taipei in the face of regional threats.
Given the island nature of Taiwan’s territory, the incorporation of tanks such as the M1A2T is aimed at strengthening the Army’s response capabilities in the event of an enemy amphibious landing, considering potential combat in scenarios where mobility and deployment present significant challenges.
Images used for illustrative purposes only. Credits: Taiwan Ministry of Defense.
You may also like: With the arrival of the first HIMARS MRLS units, Taiwan is expected to move forward with the purchase of up to 168 new M109A7 howitzers from the United States
