Taiwan bolsters defense with first batch of US Abrams tanks
Thirty-eight M1A2T Abrams tanks have arrived in Taiwan. This is the first batch of 108 American tanks that the Ministry of Defence in Taipei plans to receive in total. The Chinese authorities quickly reacted to the delivery, calling on the USA to stop arming Taiwan. We explain the capabilities of the M1A2T Abrams tanks.
Deliveries of Abrams tanks to Taiwan have been planned for several years. The sale of 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks was approved in July 2019 by the U.S. Department of State. In addition to the 38 tanks, the first shipment from the USA included four M88A2 armoured recovery vehicles.
Taiwan received the first batch of American Abrams tanks
The M1A2T Abrams is a tank whose design and equipment are very similar to the M1A2 SEP V3 version among others. It does not have depleted uranium armour, which is reserved for the versions of the US Army, nor does it have the Trophy active protection system.
Its main armament is the M256 smoothbore cannon with a calibre of 120 millimetres, which is adapted to use various types of ammunition, including programmable ammunition. The M1A2T Abrams is also equipped with the most advanced fire control system, featuring thermal imaging and auxiliary armament in the form of an unmanned turret Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station Low Profile (CROWS-LP).
It is powered by a Honeywell AGT1500C engine with 1,500 horsepower, but the M1A2T Abrams also has an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) that allows some functions to be utilised without starting the main engine.
Chinese authorities unhappy with the turn of events
The delivery schedule assumes that another 42 M1A2T tanks will arrive in Taiwan in 2025, and the final 28 units of the ordered batch will be delivered in 2026.
Beijing authorities expressed dissatisfaction with the delivery of Abrams tanks to Taiwan. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson emphasised that China "strongly opposes U.S. military ties with Taiwan and arms sales." The U.S. authorities were called upon to "adhere to the One China principle."
