Taiwan debuted its new US-supplied M1A2T Abrams tanks in live-fire drills, showcasing advanced capabilities aimed at deterring a Chinese invasion and enhancing US-Taiwan military cooperation.
The self-governing island of Taiwan received its first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) last December. The tanks were sent to the Taiwanese military’s Army Armor Training Command in Hsinchu for training, and this week, the armored vehicles made their official debut in live-fire exercises with President Lai Ching-te in attendance.
The annual military drills began on Wednesday and will run for a total of 10 days, during which a variety of new weapon systems, ranging from the new tanks to seaborne drones, will be tested.
Taiwan concluded a deal with the United States in 2019 to purchase 108 of the modernized M1 Abrams, designated the M1A2T Abrams. The remaining 70 are scheduled to be delivered in two additional batches, with 42 units set to arrive in 2025 and the remaining 28 by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The new MBTs will replace the Taiwanese Army’s aging M60A3 and CM11 tanks, which date back to the end of the Cold War. Four of the tanks were employed in Thursday’s drills, Reuters reported.
“These tanks live up to their reputation as the most powerful on earth,” Lai told reporters.
Training on the tank will continue throughout this summer, and newly formed armored units within the Taiwanese Army will be operational with the Abrams beginning later this year.
What Is the M1A2T Tank?
The M1A2T is an Abrams variant based on the M1A2 SEPv2 models, but with modifications designed to address the island nation’s operational environment, which includes dense urban centers along the coast.
According to a report last month from Brandon J. Weichert for The National Interest, the M1A2T is part of the self-governing island’s modernization efforts “to deter a potential Chinese invasion” by positioning “the tanks near critical landing zones along Taiwan’s 14 viable invasion beaches.”
However, the symbolic value of the tanks also can’t be overstated.
“The delivery underscores America’s commitment to Taiwan’s security (under the Taiwan Relations Act), and it reinforces the US-Taiwan defense partnership amid objections to such arms sales,” Weichert added. At the same time, he further noted that the M1A2T will enable greater “interoperability with US forces.”
Each of the MBTs is armed with a 120mm M256 smoothbore cannon, which is touted as capable of firing warheads that can penetrate up to 850mm of armor. In addition, the Taiwanese Abrams are outfitted with an upgraded fire control system, composite armor, and a reactive system to counter modern anti-tank weapons.
In an interview with The South China Morning Post, Major General Chou Kuang-i, commander of the 584th Armored Brigade, praised the M1A2T’s “hunter-killer” system, which can be used to strike enemy targets at distances up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), even on the move.
“It allows the gunner to engage a target while the commander uses an independent thermal sight to locate the next one,” Chou told the paper of record. “This greatly increases engagement efficiency and situational awareness compared to older-generation tanks.”
However, the issue will be whether 108 advanced MBTs are the right weapon to counter an invasion that could include hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of tanks if China mounts an invasion to bring Taiwan into its fold.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran.
