Kaohsiung (Agencies): Taiwan has received the first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks from the United States, marking the first time Taiwan has received tanks from the U.S. since the 1990s. The tanks arrived at the port of Kaohsiung on December 13, 2024, and will be deployed in northern Taiwan to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.
The M1A2T Abrams tanks, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, are part of a larger order of 108 tanks that Taiwan procured in 2019 for over NT$40.5 billion (approximately US$1.24 billion). The tanks were transported via a container ship that was rerouted to avoid third countries, ensuring the sensitive cargo’s security.
Once offloaded, the tanks will be transported on a 350-kilometer journey to the Army’s Armor Training Command in Hukou, Hsinchu County. The decision to use the port in Kaohsiung was made to provide better protection from curious onlookers and to facilitate a smoother unloading process.
This delivery is a significant step in enhancing Taiwan’s defense infrastructure, especially amid increasing regional tensions and heightened military activity around the island. The M1A2T tanks are expected to bolster Taiwan’s ability to defend its political and economic centers, as well as its shoreline.