Taiwan Receives First Batch of 38 Abrams Tanks in 30 Years Amid China's Military Drills

Dec 16, 2024, 08:25 AM

Taiwan has received its first batch of 38 advanced M1A2T Abrams tanks from the United States, marking the island's first new tank acquisition in nearly 30 years. The tanks, part of a larger order of 108, arrived at the Port of Taipei and were transported to an army training base in Hsinchu County. This delivery is part of a military procurement package approved in 2019, valued at over $1.2 billion, with the entire deal worth $2 billion. The M1A2T variant, specifically designed for Taiwan, features upgrades including a reconfigured turret, enhanced survivability, and a new ammunition datalink. The tanks are expected to significantly enhance Taiwan's military capabilities against potential threats from China, which has criticized the arms sale and conducted large-scale military drills in response. The delivery schedule anticipates further shipments in 2025 and 2026. Taiwan's defense ministry has released footage of the tanks arriving.