Greg Torode and Fabian Hamacher
TAIPEI/hsinchu (Reuters) – Taiwan’s army showed off the firepower of its first-time U.S.-sourced M1A2T Abrams Tanks – a traditional weapon that analysts say in any experience passed through the Ukrainian war, analysts will need to increasingly protect drones in any future battle.
On the second day of Taiwan’s annual military exercise, four Abrams tanks were carried out on a muddy army training ground in Huiqiu County, and manipulated on a muddy army training ground in the residential county, aiming to test the island’s resilience in conflict with China.
President Lechu-Ti observed the shooting wearing a combat helmet and later said: “As every item of combat effectiveness of the army increases, the country and its people will gain additional security.”
“It’s very powerful in terms of strike capability and mobility – undoubtedly the most powerful tank on the battlefield,” Lai said.
Senior military officials in the Lai government said they intend to conduct a comprehensive 10-day exercise for China and the international community, including its key weapons supplier The Us, to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend against any Chinese attack or invasion.
China regards democratically managed islands as its own and has intensified military pressure around Taiwan over the past five years.
Lai’s comments are also ahead of the July 26 recall of parliamentary elections, which could allow his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to regain control of the legislature.
The tanks were the first 38 Abrams main battle tanks delivered in December, with the remaining 108 being delivered by Taiwan orders this year and later next year.
They mark Taiwan’s first new tank in 24 years.
Annex to analysts and regional military personnel said that while Abrams remained a powerful and highly adaptable weapon that would help Taiwan defend its cities and coastal areas in an invasion situation, Taiwan would have to use its anti-drone technology to protect them.
Both Russian and Ukrainian tanks (including U.S. Abrams) have been reportedly proven to be vulnerable to attacks by drones and advanced anti-tank weapons.
Military officials said the tanks were not fully commissioned and that the test fire on Wednesday was not a formal part of Hankus’ training, which aims to replicate the conditions of full combat at sea, land and in the sky.
Major General Chou Kuang-I, head of the 584th Armored Brigade, said he hopes the tanks will be in service later this year and will confront the area based on “current enemy threats and tactical needs.”
Singapore-based military scholar Thomas Lim said he hopes Taiwan will try to use anti-drone elements in war scenarios to cover its “precious assets” or also deploy it from a high position for additional protection.
“It’s not simple … but it’s not a problem that is unique to Abrams,” said Lin from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.
President Lai said he believes that through “realistic combat training”, the M1A2T tank “will be able to integrate with drones and innovative strategies to achieve the country’s strategic goals more effectively”.
China’s defense ministry said on Tuesday that Taiwan’s exercises were “less bluffs.”
(Reports by Greg Torode and Fabian Hamacher of Taipei; other reports by Angie Teo; Editor of Michael Perry)
