As part of a press conference by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND), it was confirmed that the Taiwanese Army will receive 38 M1A2T tanks purchased from the United States by the end of this year. It was also noted that construction of new training facilities across the island, designed to train Abrams tank crews, is progressing as planned.
This delivery follows the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreed upon between Taipei and Washington in December 2019, which includes the provision of 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks valued at $2 billion. These tanks are intended to replace the Taiwanese Army’s aging M60A3 and CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks.
The transfer was announced by former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in August 2023. In preparation for the arrival of these new combat vehicles, an undisclosed number of Taiwanese personnel were selected to undergo training in the United States. These individuals will later serve as instructors, training new crews in the proper operation and maintenance of the M1A2T Abrams tanks.
However, the delivery schedule has encountered potential challenges. In March of this year, a Taiwanese Army official (RoCA) suggested that the delivery was expected within the year, raising questions about the timeline. Now, according to a recent statement from the Ministry of Defense, the Army is projected to receive 38 M1A2T tanks by the end of 2024, 42 in 2025, and 28 in 2026, aligning with earlier announcements made in 2023.
Lastly, it remains unclear whether the tank deliveries will coincide with the arrival of the 11 new M142 HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and their respective ammunition packages. These, along with 81 TOW 2B anti-tank guided missiles, are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. However, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has indicated the possibility of expediting the HIMARS delivery to 2026.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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