Taiwan’s defense ministry may be on a spending spree. It has reportedly earmarked part of next year’s NT$346 billion (US$11.2 billion) defense budget for the purchase of more than 100 M1A2 Abrams battle tanks from the US. Also planned are 60 missile attack boats to be built by domestic shipbuilders.
The third-generation Abrams tanks, highly mobile despite weighing 62 tons, are designed for modern armored ground warfare. Notable features include powerful multifuel turbine engines, sophisticated composite armor, and separate ammunition storage using a blow-out compartment to help increase crew safety.
The Abrams is the main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps, and is also used by the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Iraq.
Taiwan had at one point considered purchasing up to 200 brand new M1A2 tanks, but then settled on approximately 120 used ones due to funding constraints according to reports by the island’s papers.
However in July 2018, it was announced that, after reviewing all options, Taiwan sought to purchase 108 brand new M1A2 tanks from the US. The new Abrams tanks are to replace its aging CM-11 Brave Tiger battle tanks. Details of shipments and delivery dates are yet to be announced.
The M1A2 model that Taiwan has chosen is a further improvement of the series with a commander’s independent thermal viewer, weapon station, positional navigation equipment, and a full set of controls and displays linked by a digital data bus. Upgrades also provide the M1A2 with an improved fire control system.
As for the new fleet of indigenous missile boats, their reported virtue is their small size, which can enable them to navigate into small ports with greater ease while carrying two Hsiung Feng IIE missiles, according to the defense ministry.
These boats can be camouflaged as civilian fishing boats and will provide the navy with a highly mobile platform for launching missiles that could be used for naval attack sorties.
Abrams tanks are obsolete fuel guzzlers and does match the new tank models of China and Russia in fire power and performance .
Those tanks are expensive and they blow up easily just look at Iraq war US covered up the story as usual. Look at Saudi M1 in Yemen blowing up as usual.
The United States should be very of selling top of the range military hardware to questionable allies. The current situation of the CIA being a lame duck agency works against this principal. The Chinese secret service has been successful in stealing united States military secrets right under the noses of the CIA. The F35 sale to Turkey, the dictator Erdogan move to the camp of the Russians. The Russians will be having a good look at the F35s.Which the mental case Erdogan will be happy to share.Taiwan ,Singapores close relationship with China,would mean that the Chinese will be having excess to the United States military hardware,
It’s understandable that the Taiwanese fear that their hard-earned prosperity will be taken away by the CCP. There are many ways to safeguard it. But buying Americans crappy arms is not one of them (didn’t you see falling airplane parts in Japan and several ship accidents?). Not only will this increase tension, the money spent on weaponry would be better spent on Taiwanese people. How about a few more hospitals, funding high-tech research, etc
Given the great American sell-out of Taiwan by kicking it out of the UN and moving its embassy to Beijing, it’s amazing that some in the ruling class still harbor illusion that the Americans will come to their aid. The US didn’t even lift a finger to talk about the abduction issue with North Korea on behalf of their staunch ally Japan.
There is no shortage of smart people in Taiwan. The dumb idea of buying American arms must have benefits for the very few.
LOL.
Abrams can not be penetrated by 125mm guns but can shoot a single sabout round straight trough the obsolete Russian and Chinese tanks with a single shot.
Russian and Chinese tanks have way weaker armor. Just look at their weight, they are more like medium tanks than main battle tanks. Obsolete compated to any western tank like Abrams, Leopard 2, Challenger and Merkava.
US budget cuts are the only result of a part of the tank fleet being in reserve. The Abrams is still the primary weapon of the US Army and best armored tank in the world. Same has happened with other nations.
Abrams tanks in Iraq did very well. Very few losses because of heavy armor. Despite operating in urban areas in which any tank is most vulnerable. They definetly did a lot better than Russian T-80’s did in Chechenya and T-90’s in Syria that got blown up .
Saudi Abrams have weak export armor (no depleted uranium). Saudi crews are also very poorly trained.
LOL.
Abrams can not be penetrated by 125mm guns but can shoot a single sabout round straight trough the obsolete Russian and Chinese tanks with a single shot.
Russian and Chinese tanks have way weaker armor. Just look at their weight, they are more like medium tanks than main battle tanks. Obsolete compated to any western tank like Abrams, Leopard 2, Challenger and Merkava.
US budget cuts are the only result of a part of the tank fleet being in reserve. The Abrams is still the primary weapon of the US Army and best armored tank in the world. Same has happened with other nations.
Abrams tanks in Iraq did very well. Very few losses because of heavy armor. Despite operating in urban areas in which any tank is most vulnerable. They definetly did a lot better than Russian T-80’s did in Chechenya and T-90’s in Syria that got blown up .
Saudi Abrams have weak export armor (no depleted uranium). Saudi crews are also very poorly trained.
You obviously know nothing of military equipment and conflicts.
The best way to avoid a war is to PREPARE for one. When your enemy knows you are prepared he is less likely to attack you. This is how NATO prevented a Soviet invasion of Europe. The USSR knew NATO was ready to fight. A weak military is inviting the enemy in. The harder it is for the opponent to win a war, the less likely he will attack.
US equipment is the most advanced in the world. And the Abrams is amung the best (of not the best) main battle tanks in the world.
Being a military enthusiast I can tell you that the Abrams is the best protected main battle tank in the world. It takes a lot of punishment to take one out.
Taiwan needs to replace its obsolete Patton tanks. The Abrams would give it a tank that outclasses Chinese tanks.
The Abrams can survive hits from 125mm guns and many anti-tank missiles and the Abrams can penetrate the armor of any Chinese (or Russian) tank.
The M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams would be the best choice. But other very good choises would be Leopard 2 A7+, Challenger 2, Merkava 4, Type 10 or K2 Black Panther.
Any of these choises would give Taiwan a tank that is a lot better than that of any Chinese invader. This is required as China has a lot more tanks. Taiwan needs quality to face Chinese quantity.
China could bully the smaller nations in not selling the tanks (or spare parts and ammunition etc.) to Taiwain. Which makes the US the best choise for Taiwan as being a superpower China can’t bully it around like it could with any of the smaller nations.
I also think that NATO should be expanded to more areas of the world. Include Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Being a NATO member would mean that if China attacks Taiwan it would be at war with all of the free world.
You obviously know nothing of military equipment and conflicts.
The best way to avoid a war is to PREPARE for one. When your enemy knows you are prepared he is less likely to attack you. This is how NATO prevented a Soviet invasion of Europe. The USSR knew NATO was ready to fight. A weak military is inviting the enemy in. The harder it is for the opponent to win a war, the less likely he will attack.
US equipment is the most advanced in the world. And the Abrams is amung the best (of not the best) main battle tanks in the world.
Being a military enthusiast I can tell you that the Abrams is the best protected main battle tank in the world. It takes a lot of punishment to take one out.
Taiwan needs to replace its obsolete Patton tanks. The Abrams would give it a tank that outclasses Chinese tanks.
The Abrams can survive hits from 125mm guns and many anti-tank missiles and the Abrams can penetrate the armor of any Chinese (or Russian) tank.
The M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams would be the best choice. But other very good choises would be Leopard 2 A7+, Challenger 2, Merkava 4, Type 10 or K2 Black Panther.
Any of these choises would give Taiwan a tank that is a lot better than that of any Chinese invader. This is required as China has a lot more tanks. Taiwan needs quality to face Chinese quantity.
China could bully the smaller nations in not selling the tanks (or spare parts and ammunition etc.) to Taiwain. Which makes the US the best choise for Taiwan as being a superpower China can’t bully it around like it could with any of the smaller nations.
I also think that NATO should be expanded to more areas of the world. Include Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Being a NATO member would mean that if China attacks Taiwan it would be at war with all of the free world.
The best way to avoid a war is to PREPARE for one. When your enemy knows you are prepared he is less likely to attack you. This is how NATO prevented a Soviet invasion of Europe. The USSR knew NATO was ready to fight. A weak military is inviting the enemy in. The harder it is for the opponent to win a war, the less likely he will attack.
Of course China will always have a bigger military. But Taiwans military is DEFENSIVE only.
When defending an island you don’t need to have a military as big as that of the attacker. Being an island is a huge strategic advantage.
UK was not occupied by Germany because it was an island.
China could not send ALL of its military to invade Taiwan. This would leave China defenseless against retaliation from Taiwanese allies like the US, Japan and South Korea. Also the amount of troops you can land depends on the amphibious capability:
So Taiwan needs to have a military that is capable enough to stop a Chinese invasion, or at least make it to costly for China.
This includes:
– Surface combatants (destroyers, frigates), submarines and supporting aircraft to stop Chinese warships and landing craft. Fight for control of the seas around Taiwan and prevent Chinese landingcraft from getting tanks, AFVs, artillery and troops ashore.
– Fighters to gain air superiority around the island and stop Chinese combat aircraft as well as parachuting troops and airlifting heavy equipment.
– Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, mechanized artillery and other armored fighting vehicles to defeat any Chinese forces that China manages to get ashore. If China manages to create a beachhead destroy it as quickly as possible.
The last part if where Taiwans weakness lies.
Taiwan needs to replace its obsolete Patton tanks. The Abrams would give it a tank that outclasses Chinese tanks.
The Abrams can survive hits from 125mm guns and many anti-tank missiles and the Abrams can penetrate the armor of any Chinese (or Russian) tank.
The M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams would be the best choice fot its new tank. But other very good choises would be Leopard 2 A7+, Challenger 2, Merkava 4, Type 10 or K2 Black Panther.
Any of these would give Taiwan a tank that is a lot better than that of the Chinese invader. This is required as China has a lot more tanks. Taiwan needs quality to face Chinese quantity.
China could bully the smaller nations in not selling the tanks (or spare parts and ammunition etc.) to Taiwain. Which makes the US the best choise for Taiwan. Being a superpower China can’t bully the US around like it could with any of the smaller nations (especially now with Trump, who doesn’t allow China or anyone to bully it).
I also think that NATO should be expanded to more areas of the world. Include Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Being a NATO member would mean that if China attacks Taiwan it would be at war with all of the free world.
The best way to avoid a war is to PREPARE for one. When your enemy knows you are prepared he is less likely to attack you. This is how NATO prevented a Soviet invasion of Europe. The USSR knew NATO was ready to fight. A weak military is inviting the enemy in. The harder it is for the opponent to win a war, the less likely he will attack.
Of course China will always have a bigger military. But Taiwans military is DEFENSIVE only.
When defending an island you don’t need to have a military as big as that of the attacker. Being an island is a huge strategic advantage.
UK was not occupied by Germany because it was an island.
China could not send ALL of its military to invade Taiwan. This would leave China defenseless against retaliation from Taiwanese allies like the US, Japan and South Korea. Also the amount of troops you can land depends on the amphibious capability:
So Taiwan needs to have a military that is capable enough to stop a Chinese invasion, or at least make it to costly for China.
This includes:
– Surface combatants (destroyers, frigates), submarines and supporting aircraft to stop Chinese warships and landing craft. Fight for control of the seas around Taiwan and prevent Chinese landingcraft from getting tanks, AFVs, artillery and troops ashore.
– Fighters to gain air superiority around the island and stop Chinese combat aircraft as well as parachuting troops and airlifting heavy equipment.
– Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, mechanized artillery and other armored fighting vehicles to defeat any Chinese forces that China manages to get ashore. If China manages to create a beachhead destroy it as quickly as possible.
The last part if where Taiwans weakness lies.
Taiwan needs to replace its obsolete Patton tanks. The Abrams would give it a tank that outclasses Chinese tanks.
The Abrams can survive hits from 125mm guns and many anti-tank missiles and the Abrams can penetrate the armor of any Chinese (or Russian) tank.
The M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams would be the best choice fot its new tank. But other very good choises would be Leopard 2 A7+, Challenger 2, Merkava 4, Type 10 or K2 Black Panther.
Any of these would give Taiwan a tank that is a lot better than that of the Chinese invader. This is required as China has a lot more tanks. Taiwan needs quality to face Chinese quantity.
China could bully the smaller nations in not selling the tanks (or spare parts and ammunition etc.) to Taiwain. Which makes the US the best choise for Taiwan. Being a superpower China can’t bully the US around like it could with any of the smaller nations (especially now with Trump, who doesn’t allow China or anyone to bully it).
I also think that NATO should be expanded to more areas of the world. Include Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Being a NATO member would mean that if China attacks Taiwan it would be at war with all of the free world.