M1A2T Abrams Tanks Join Taiwanese Army

Taiwan has received M1A2T Abrams tanks from the United States, marking the first delivery of U.S. tanks to Taiwan since 1994.

The tanks, part of a 2019 agreement for 108 units, arrived at military bases in Hsinchu and will reportedly be deployed to the army’s training center for use after the Spring Festival next year.

The M1A2T, a version tailored for Taiwan, features a 120mm main gun, composite armor, and enhanced mobility, according to Taiwanese media. Deliveries are expected to occur in three batches through 2026: 38 in 2024, 42 in 2025, and 28 in 2026.

The procurement aligns with Taiwan’s strategy to bolster its defense amid growing regional tensions. However, Chinese analysts have raised questions about the tanks’ suitability for Taiwan’s terrain and modern warfare.

Military expert Wei Dongxu told the Global Times that the M1A2 is unsuitable for Taiwan due to its over-60-ton weight, limiting mobility on the island’s water-dense terrain. Wei also noted its fuel-consuming gas turbine complicates maintenance, and despite its advanced features, it remains vulnerable to drones and attack helicopters equipped with anti-tank missiles.

The M1A1 tanks have reportedly underperformed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukraine sidelined U.S.-supplied M1A1 tanks due to their vulnerability to Russian drone detection and attack, as reported by AP in April. The National Interest reported in September that 20 out of 31 Abrams tanks were destroyed by Russian weapons like the Kornet missile.

Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge, stated that tanks face unprecedented threats from drones in modern combat. He added that Taiwan’s expectations for tanks boosting military capabilities are unrealistic. "The time has changed, and the combat patterns of the past are no more," he said.