Taiwan has received 38 M1A2 Abrams tanks from the U.S., its first new tanks in 30 years. These advanced tanks arrived late Sunday and were sent to a training base in Hsinchu. They are part of a 108-tank order placed in 2019, aimed at modernizing Taiwan’s aging armored forces.
The Abrams tanks significantly upgrade Taiwan’s defense, replacing outdated CM11 and M60A3 models. As one of the heaviest and most capable tanks, the M1A2 boosts Taiwan’s military capabilities amid rising threats from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.
China strongly criticized the U.S. arms transfer, calling it a threat to its sovereignty. Beijing warned against foreign support for Taiwan’s independence, claiming such efforts are doomed to fail. Tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Taiwan relies heavily on U.S. arms sales despite developing its defense industry. The $1.2 billion deal for the Abrams tanks has faced delays due to global supply chain issues and competing U.S. military commitments. The remaining tanks will arrive by 2026.
China has increased military pressure on Taiwan, conducting large-scale drills and blockading exercises. In response, Taiwan is increasing its defense budget, allocating $19 billion for 2024 to strengthen its military readiness against potential threats.
