Taipei: Taiwan’s military is set to receive a second delivery of 42 M1A2T tanks by the second quarter of 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense (MND). In a recent report delivered to the Legislative Yuan, the MND detailed its plans for the acquisition and deployment of these tanks, which are part of a larger purchase from 2019.

According to Focus Taiwan, the U.S. State Department approved Taiwan’s request to purchase 108 M1A2T tanks and related equipment in 2019. The first batch, consisting of 38 tanks, was received in December 2024. The MND has outlined a timeline for the remaining deliveries, with 28 more tanks expected by the first quarter of 2026.

The MND has ensured that the production and delivery process is on schedule, with liaison officers stationed in the U.S. visiting the production facility every two months. These visits are crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring that the delivery timeline is adhered to.

Training for personnel to operate and maintain the new tanks is already underway, with a combat readiness evaluation planned for the latter half of this year. Further training exercises will be held at the bases where the tanks will be stationed to ensure they are fully integrated into operational plans.

The MND has indicated that once the tanks have passed the required evaluations, they will be ready for deployment, enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities.