Taiwan’s New M1 Abrams M1AT Tanks Should Have China Worried

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Key Points and Summary: China views the reunification of Taiwan as central to its national destiny, escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. To counter potential invasion, Taiwan has bolstered its defense budget and military capabilities, including the arrival of 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks in December 2024 as part of a $1.24 billion arms deal with the U.S.

-These tanks, designed for Northern Taiwan’s defense, complement Taiwan’s multi-layered strategy, which includes anti-ship missiles, drones, artillery, and combat helicopters.

-While China’s amphibious capabilities remain underdeveloped, Taiwan’s fortified defenses aim to repel any invading force, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and democratic values.

-The reunification of Taiwan with China is the primary focus of the Chinese military today. Peacefully or forcibly gaining control of Taiwan would, in the view of the CCP, bring an official end to China’s “Century of Humiliation” and further cement China as a great power.  

Taiwan’s New M1A2T Abrams Tanks: A Game-Changer Against China?

In the words of President (in reality dictator) Xi, “Taiwan is China’s sacred territory. Blood is thicker than water, and people on both sides of the strait are connected by blood,” Additionally he added, “We must resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities”. 

They say the proof is in the pudding, and it is the author’s firm belief that Xi feels it is his destiny to reunify Taiwan with mainland China. In doing so, he would go down in Chinese history as one of the country’s most significant modern leaders, second only to Mao. It will be Xi’s hubris that will push forward any invasion.  

Daily Reminders that the CCP Seeks to Crush the Government in Taiwan 

As the decades have worn on, the government in Taipei has witnessed the power and capabilities of the Chinese military increase. Rarely does a day go by without Chinese aircraft or naval vessels intruding within its airspace or maritime economic exclusion zone.  

The Taiwanese people are now under constant threat from China, a tangible reminder of mainland China’s desire to subjugate the people and destroy their freedom.  

Following the election of Lai Ching-te, the pro-independence candidate, Communist China has increased its military flights around the island.  

Regarding this development, General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Air Force for the Indo-Pacific Command stated:  

“Whether it’s coming into the air defense identification zone or crossing the center line within the Taiwan Strait, since the inauguration, we have seen a 300% increase in those air activities.” 

Specifically, from May 2024 to November 2024, China sent its aircraft on near-constant intimidation missions, approximately 1,085 sorties.  

Money and Weapons, Buffering Taiwan against a Chinese Invasion 

Taipei has steadily increased its defense budget after assessing the threat to its sovereignty and way of life. Specifically, from 2019 to 2023, spending has increased by nearly 5% per year; as a percentage of the GDP, the rate of increase is approximately 2% to 2.5%.  

For those like myself who need to see specific numbers for visual effects, the baseline defense budget in 2023 was $415.1 billion; Taipei increased this to 440.6 billion in 2024.  

Given the relationship between Taipei and Washington and the US’s commitment to providing for the island’s defense, the US has sold Taiwan nearly $50 billion in defense equipment and services, since 1950. 

One of the most significant developments regarding this defense relationship is the arrival of US Abrams tanks.  

The Abrams Main Battle Tank Thunders into Taiwan 

On December 16, 2024, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense announced that thirty-eight M1A2T tanks had arrived in the Port of Taipei. This purchase marks Taiwan’s first significant upgrade concerning armor since it received its M60A3 tanks in 1994. 

Under an agreement approved by the first Trump administration in 2019, Taiwan will receive the first shipment of 38 Abrams this year, followed by 42 in 2025, and the final shipment is due to arrive in 2026. This arms sale of 108 tanks and related equipment is worth $1.24 billion. 

A spokesperson for the Taiwanese Army stated that 10 tanks would be transferred to the Army Armor Training Command, and the remainder will deploy to two armored brigades. These brigades are stationed in Linkou District, New Taipei and Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, in order to more adequately defend Northern Taiwan.  

Specifics Regarding the M1A2T  

The 68-ton M1A2T features a 120mm M256 smoothbore cannon capable of penetrating 850mm of armor. The tank also has an advanced fire control system with thermal imaging and a 50-caliber machine gun station remotely operated.  

In terms of power generation, the M1A2T is equipped with a 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine. This allows the tank to achieve speeds of up to 42 mph and a range of approximately 265 miles.  

A key difference between the M1A2T and the M1A2s in the US inventory is that the export models going to Taiwan do not have depleted uranium armor or the Trophy Active Protection System.  

Where does the M1A2T fit into Taiwan’s Defensive Strategy? 

In defending their right to existence as a free society, the first line of defense will be the Taiwan Strait itself. This body of water is approximately 70 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point and 220 nautical miles wide at its widest.  

It will require hundreds of ships to transport all the soldiers, equipment, and supplies needed for the invasion. Most of these vessels will be of the civilian variety. China’s amphibious fleet is still underdeveloped, and civilian ships take longer to unload and are more vulnerable to missile attack.  

Anti-ship missiles and torpedoes will first target the oncoming Chinese ships, and the invading fleet will potentially be subject to thousands of kamikaze drones, representing the second line of defense.  

The soldiers that do make it to one of the handful of suitable beaches will find themselves under fire from rocket artillery systems. These include the Thunderbolt-2000, HIMARS, and 155mm M109 self-propelled artillery pieces, comprising the third line of defense.  

The fourth line of defense will be combat helicopters such as Taiwan’s Cobra and Apache craft. Finally, the last line of defense will be Taiwan’s tanks, which include the new Abrams and Taiwan’s older, more numerous M60A3 Patton tanks, which 460 serve in their inventory.  

The tanks and infantry will directly take on the Chinese infantry, struggling to hold their positions and create a foothold. With any hope, the island nation will be able to push the invasion forces of China back into the sea.  

About the Author: Christian P. Martin 

Christian P. Martin is a Michigan-based writer; he earned a Master’s degree in Defense & Strategic Studies (Summa cum laude) from the University of Texas, El Paso. Currently, he is a research assistant at the Asia Pacific Security Innovation Forum. Concerning writing, he has published several dozen articles in places like Simple Flying, SOFREP, SOF News, and other outlets.