Taiwan Army Receives M1 Abrams Tanks
Gas-Guzzling Behemoths to Deploy in Northern Taiwan
China In Arms BOOKSTORE and GIFT SHOP!
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17 December 2024 (Tuesday)
Taiwan Army Receives M1 Abrams Tanks
Gas-Guzzling Behemoths to Deploy in Northern Taiwan
By Wendell Minnick (Whiskey Mike) 顏文德
TAIPEI - Taiwan has just received the first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams Main Battle Tanks (MBT) from the United States. Taiwan requested 108 tanks in 2019 for $2 billion, with final delivery slated for late 2026.
The Abrams (T=Taiwan) was delivered via the Port of Taipei in New Taipei’s Bali District on 15 December. The T variant is actually the M1A2C export version.
General Dynamics its the primary contractor. One of the more unusual parts of the sale is that there will be no offset agreements for Taiwan’s local manufacturing via the Armaments Bureau.
They will join Taiwan’s tank arsenal of 900 105mm M48/M60 MBTs. The M48/M60 vary between 48-50 tons.
On a personal note, I suspect that Taiwan does not actually have 900 operational combat ready MBTs; over the years the military has reduced manpower and spending. The Taiwan military often inflates operational numbers by hiding manpower and platforms within “combined arms brigades”.
Taiwan retired the 90mm M41D “Walker Bulldog” light tank in 2022 after 60 years of service.
The 60-ton 120mm Abrams has received criticism for weight issues compared to the M48/M60. Taiwan is a highly mountainous terrain with low coastal wetlands. I have compared Taiwan to West Virginia and remind folks that the Abrams was designed for the European theater during a Cold War scenario with the Soviet Union.