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Lawrence Chung

Taiwan will receive the first batch of its long-awaited M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks from the United States by the end of this year, according to the island’s defence ministry.
The initial batch of 108 battle tanks was approved for sale in 2019, as Taiwan sought to boost its ability to fend off a landing in preparation for any cross-strait conflict.
A shipment of 38 tanks is now expected to arrive in December.
However, with the rapidly evolving dynamics of modern warfare, some analysts have questioned the effectiveness of the tanks against threats such as suicide drone attacks.
News of the imminent delivery coincided with Washington’s announcement of its largest ever military aid package for Taiwan under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).
In a statement on Sunday, the White House said President Joe Biden had authorised his secretary of state to “direct the drawdown of up to US$567 million in defence articles, services from the Department of Defence, and military education and training to provide assistance to Taiwan”.


The statement did not specify the details of the package, but the US-based Defence News reported that it would include stockpiles, anti-armour weapons, air defence systems and multi-domain awareness tools.
The package will also feature drones, which are integral to the US and Taiwan’s asymmetric strategy against Beijing’s larger military, the report quoted an unidentified US official as saying on September 21.
The latest package compares with the US$345 million in aid authorised by the Biden administration in July last year.
The move sparked expected criticism from Beijing, which has repeatedly urged Washington to stop providing military assistance to Taiwan.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. While the US, like most countries, does not recognise self-governed Taiwan as independent, it is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to arming it for defence.
“The biggest threat to peace across the Taiwan Strait is the separatist forces and their support from external forces led by the US,” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday, warning that any push for Taiwanese independence would “lead to a dead end”.
Beijing has stepped up military activities around Taiwan since William Lai Ching-te of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party was elected leader in January. To Beijing, Lai is an “obstinate separatist” who could spark conflict. Lai has further incensed Beijing since his inauguration in May, by consistently emphasising his view that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are no longer connected.
The M1A2T tanks are expected to significantly boost Taiwan’s defences, especially in deterring potential cross-strait assaults from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
According to the Taiwanese defence ministry, the American third-generation battle tanks will replace the older US-made M60A3 and M49 models. The ministry also held up the M1A2T as superior to the PLA’s Type 99 main battle tank, citing the Abrams’ better firepower, mobility and protection capacity.


Su Tzu-yun, a senior analyst at the Institute for National Defence and Security Research, a Taiwanese government think tank, highlighted the Abrams’ abilities in countering amphibious assaults.
This includes its 120mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of penetrating 850mm (33 inches) of homogenous steel, and a firing range of up to 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) – effective for engaging enemy tanks from a distance.
Su expects the Abrams to be deployed along Taiwan’s northern coast, viewed as the likeliest target for a PLA attack.
Some analysts, however, have voiced doubts about the feasibility of deploying the tanks in Taiwanese terrain. Wang Kung-yi, head of the Taiwan International Strategy Study Society, another Taipei-based think tank, said the island’s urban landscape, along with the PLA’s missile and naval strength, would limit the Abrams’ effectiveness.
“The tanks might serve as a deterrent during coastal landings, but in urban combat, their large size and weight would restrict their mobility,” Wang said.
Former defence ministry press secretary and military commentator Lu De-yun echoed those concerns, noting that the Abrams had lost its edge in modern warfare.
“As seen in the Russia-Ukraine war, after two years of fighting, tanks and armoured vehicles have become vulnerable to suicide drone attacks,” Lu said.
It might be more effective to invest in American anti-tank missiles such as Javelins or TOW-2Bs to counter PLA landings, he suggested.
The Taiwanese army has allocated NT$40.52 billion (US$1.3 billion) to procure 108 Abrams tanks between 2019 and 2027.
A second batch of 42 tanks is expected to arrive next year, with delivery of the final 28 slated for 2026.


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Taiwan

Taiwan to get first US Abrams tanks after years of delay. But can they take on the PLA?

US M1A2T Abrams tanks have been held up by the Taiwanese defence ministry as superior to the PLA’s Type 99 main battle tank. Photo: AFP

How to take Taiwan: mainland China show imagines what a PLA attack may look like

The latest episode of a documentary series broadcast in mainland China featured footage of PLA exercises and a full account of how a Taiwan landing would be achieved. Photo: CCTV

PLA jet fighters were among the military hardware featured in a CCTV documentary broadcast in mainland China about what an operation to take control of Taiwan would involve. Photo: CCTV

In the filmed exercise shown on CCTV in mainland China on Monday, PLA helicopters and landing troops meet resistance from the enemy who attempt to hold them off with portable missiles, similar to those purchased by Taiwan from the US. Photo: CCTV

A scene from the latest episode of the CCTV documentary series Quenching, which included footage of PLA naval exercises. Photo: CCTV

Taiwan sets war readiness goals at first meeting of defence resilience committee

Taiwanese leader William Lai (in dark suit), pictured with troops at a naval base in Penghu County, has outlined the tasks of a new defence committee for “a more resilient Taiwan”. Photo: EPA-EFE

China’s Xi Jinping warns ‘Taiwan separatists’, stresses support for Hong Kong and Macau

Chinese President Xi Jinping has used his national Day address to send a warning to Taiwan independence forces. Photo: Xinhua

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China

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First 38 battle tanks arriving in December seen to boost cross-strait deterrence, but some analysts cite modern threats like suicide drones


First 38 battle tanks arriving in December seen to boost cross-strait deterrence, but some analysts cite modern threats like suicide drones.


US-China relations