Taiwan will receive the first batch of US M1A2T Abrams tanks next year, the island’s President Tsai Ing-wen said, Taiwan News reported on August 22.
38 tanks should arrive on the island in 2024. 42 tanks in 2025 and 28 more in 2026. The United States approved the sale of 108 vehicles to Taiwan in 2019 for an amount of 2.2 billion dollars.
A military group has already been formed on the island, which will carry out courses in the United States on training in the handling and maintenance of machines. Upon their return, they will become instructors.
According to the Taiwanese military, Abrams tanks have better mobility and can perform quick maneuvers on the battlefield. They will strengthen the combat capabilities of the Taiwanese army and give it greater firepower.
Let us remember that with the worsening of the crisis in Ukraine, the Taiwanese authorities began to speak of a possible imminent Chinese attack on Taiwan. Special working groups were created to monitor the situation and warn in time about the preparation of the invasion, if it takes place. The Taiwanese military conducts exercises and implements training programs for reservists.
Taiwan ordered $19 billion worth of weapons from the United States, but there were delays in their deliveries. In part they are due to the fact that the production facilities of the American military-industrial complex changed to meet orders for the needs of Ukraine.
Earlier, the US Congressional House Committee on China conducted a staff game, which showed that in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, the United States would not be able to supply the island with munitions.
In Taiwan there are different views on the future of relations with China. The opposition Kuomintang Party adheres to the “one China” principle and believes the country should be unified under Taiwan’s democratic rule. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party and its leader Tsai Ing-wen support independence for the island and withdrawal from communist China.
After assuming the presidency in 2016, Tsai Ing-wen refused to reaffirm her integration policy with China. The PRC closed its representative office on the island, which unofficially served as an embassy.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.