WATCH: Taiwan’s US$1.2 billion arms purchase to arrive by the year’s end
This video of an American YouTuber capturing a speeding freight train loaded with tanks went viral in October. Online reports suggest that these were the M1A2 tanks purchased by Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, which has spent NT$40.5 billion (USD$1.2 billion) to purchase a combination of tanks, missiles and rocket systems from the United States.
Speaking at the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday, Deputy Defense Minister Alex Po (柏鴻輝) confirmed that the first batch of this procurement will be arrive by the end of the year.
The M1A2 is equipped with a 120-millimeter gun tube capable of reaching a muzzle velocity of over 1700 meters per second, delivering immense destructive power, while the tank’s armor can withstand 850 millimeters of penetration, making it highly formidable. In addition, the TOW-2B missiles will also arrive by the year’s end, complementing the HIMARS rocket systems already in Taiwan, giving the island’s military's capabilities a significant boost.
While Taiwan strengthens its military might, across the strait, the People’s Liberation Army has also revealed new weapons systems at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. The Hongqi-19 anti-ballistic missile defense system, which the PLA claims to contend with the U.S. THAAD system, adds fuel to the fire of Sino-American military rivalry.