First delivery of U.S. Abrams tanks arrives in Taiwan

Island updates fleet for first time in 30 years to counter China threat

The U.S. sent this M1A2T Abrams tank to Taiwan as part of an initial shipment of 38. (Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense)

TSUKASA HADANO, Nikkei staff writer

December 17, 2024 01:39 JST

TAIPEI -- Taiwan has received 38 Abrams tanks from the U.S. in a shipment announced Monday by the Ministry of National Defense here, the first update in decades to the self-governed island's fleet of main battle tanks.

The vehicles are part of the first batch of M1A2T tanks, an Abrams variant designed for Taiwan. A total of 108 tanks are to be delivered within the next few years.