Taiwan has already received the first batch of Abrams tanks

Taiwan has received the first batch of 38 US M1A2T Abrams tanks to replace its outdated equipment. In total, the contract provides for the supply of 108 tanks by 2027.

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The equipment was unloaded at the port of Kaohsiung in the south of the island, after which the tanks were delivered to military units by truck. The new Abrams will replace the outdated CM-11 Brave Tiger and CM-12 models, which are upgraded versions of the US M48 and M60.

In total, the contract provides for the delivery of 108 M1A2T tanks. After the first batch in 2025, Taiwan is to receive 38 more units, followed by 28 tanks in 2026 and the balance in 2027. Production and modernisation of the vehicles is underway at the plant in Lima, Ohio.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defence plans to distribute the tanks to units in the northern part of the island, which is considered a potential landing zone for Chinese troops. The Abrams will be delivered within the budget allocated from 2019 to 2027.

The Taiwanese army currently uses tanks dating back to the 1960s, which were modernised in the 1980s and 1990s. Alongside the new Abrams, the Marine Corps is upgrading some of its M60A3 TTS tanks. The upgrade is being carried out at NCSIST facilities and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Taiwan