Taiwan Receives 38 Advanced Abrams Battle Tanks from the United States
Background
Washington has long been Taipei’s most important ally and biggest arms supplier, angering Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.
Delivery of M1A2 Tanks
The M1A2 tanks, the first batch of 108 ordered in 2019, arrived in Taiwan late Sunday and were transferred to an army training base in Hsinchu, south of the capital Taipei, the defence ministry said. The M1A2s are the first new tanks to be delivered to Taiwan in 30 years, the semi-official Central News Agency said.
Taiwan’s Current Tank Force
Taiwan’s current tank force consists of around 1,000 Taiwan-made CM 11 Brave Tiger and US-made M60A3 tanks, technology that is increasingly obsolete. Abrams tanks, which are among the heaviest in the world, are a mainstay of the US military.
Threat from China
Taiwan faces the constant threat of an invasion by China, which has refused to rule out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. China’s foreign ministry on Monday urged the United States to "stop arming Taiwan… and supporting Taiwan independence forces."
Taiwan’s Defense Efforts
While it has a home-grown defence industry and has been upgrading its equipment, Taiwan relies heavily on US arms sales to bolster its security capabilities. Taiwan requested the state-of-the-art M1A2 tanks in 2019, allocating the equivalent of more than $1.2 billion for them. The rest of the order is expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026, an army official told AFP.
Backlog in Arms Supplies
While US arms supplies to Taiwan are enshrined into law, a massive backlog caused by Covid-19 supply chain disruptions and US weapons shipments to Ukraine and Israel have slowed deliveries to Taiwan. The backlog now exceeds $21 billion, according to Washington think tank Cato Institute.
Taiwan’s Military Spending
Taiwan would be massively outgunned in terms of troop numbers and firepower in any war with China and in recent years has increased spending on its military. Taipei allocated a record $19 billion for 2024 and next year’s budget is set to hit a new high as it seeks to bolster its defence approach.
China’s Military Pressure
China has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, regularly deploying fighter jets and warships around the island. Taiwanese authorities said last week that China had held its biggest maritime drills in years, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea. The vessels simulated attacks on foreign ships and practised blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said previously. Beijing did not confirm the drills and its defence ministry did not say whether the manoeuvres had taken place when asked at a press conference on Friday.
Conclusion
The delivery of the advanced Abrams battle tanks to Taiwan is a significant step in enhancing the island’s military capabilities, but it is clear that Taiwan still faces a significant threat from China. The constant pressure from China’s military and the country’s refusal to rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control make it essential for Taiwan to continue to upgrade its military capabilities and invest in its defence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the implications of the delivery of the Abrams tanks to Taiwan?
A: The delivery of the advanced Abrams battle tanks to Taiwan is a significant step in enhancing the island’s military capabilities, but it is clear that Taiwan still faces a significant threat from China.
Q: How does the US arms supply to Taiwan affect China?
A: The US arms supply to Taiwan angers Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory. China has urged the United States to "stop arming Taiwan… and supporting Taiwan independence forces."
Q: What is the current state of Taiwan’s military capabilities?
A: Taiwan’s current tank force consists of around 1,000 Taiwan-made CM 11 Brave Tiger and US-made M60A3 tanks, technology that is increasingly obsolete. Taiwan faces the constant threat of an invasion by China, which has refused to rule out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.