Taiwan Flexes U.S.-Made Tanks in Live-Fire Drills as China Looms

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stood front and center at a military base in Hsinchu county, observing the thunderous roar of U.S.-made Abrams M1A2T tanks during live-fire drills. These exercises, part of the 10-day Han Kuang war games—Taiwan’s most extensive to date—are a bold statement of the island’s resolve to bolster its defenses against an increasingly assertive China.

The tanks, four in total, showcased pinpoint precision, striking both stationary and moving targets with 100% accuracy, whether firing on the move or from fixed positions. This display of firepower underscores Taiwan’s $1.45 billion investment in 108 Abrams tanks, complemented by advanced F-16V jets, HIMARS missile systems, and stealth drones, all aimed at modernizing its military might.

President Lai, addressing troops and reporters, emphasized the stakes: “Stronger military strength means a safer nation and a more stable Indo-Pacific region.” His words reflect Taiwan’s strategic push to counter China’s near-daily provocations, including military ships and balloons encroaching on its waters and airspace.

Beijing, predictably, dismissed the drills as futile, reiterating its claim over Taiwan and its readiness to use force. Yet, the island’s 23 million people overwhelmingly reject unification, leaning on U.S.-supplied weaponry and Washington’s legal commitment to view threats to Taiwan as a major concern—though whether U.S. forces would intervene remains a calculated ambiguity.