Taiwan strengthens its defense! The island received 38 Abrams tanks from the United States to counter the growing Chinese threat. But will this delivery be enough to dissuade Beijing from taking action? More in our article.
Amid growing tensions with China, Taiwan is seeking to strengthen its defense capabilities. A major milestone has just been reached with the island’s receipt of 38 Abrams battle tanks from the United States. These latest generation armored vehicles are intended to significantly strengthen Taiwanese land forces in the face of the threat of a potential Chinese attack.
An expected delivery to strengthen deterrence
Arriving on the island on Sunday evening, these 38 Abrams tanks are part of a larger order of 108 units placed in 2019 with the United States, for an amount exceeding $1.2 billion. According to a military source, the rest of the armored vehicles should be delivered by 2025 and 2026. These are the first brand new tanks received by Taiwan in 30 years, a crucial contribution to modernize its current aging fleet, notably composed of M60A3s. American and locally produced CM Brave Tiger.
This acquisition is part of Taipei’s desire to strengthen its deterrence capabilities in the face of increasing military pressure exerted by Beijing. China indeed considers Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and does not rule out using force to take control of it. Faced with this threat, the Taiwanese authorities are increasing arms purchases from their American ally.
American support, key to Taiwanese defense
Washington is historically Taipei’s main arms supplier. Over the past five decades, the United States has sold billions of dollars worth of equipment and munitions to the island, including F-16 fighter jets and warships. At the beginning of November, Taiwan had already received its first batch of HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, a system that had proven itself in Ukraine against Russia.
If Washington officially maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding possible military intervention in the event of a Chinese attack, this massive material support clearly aims to dissuade Beijing from taking action. A strategy which seems to be bearing fruit so far, but which deeply irritates China, accusing the United States of playing with fire by arming what it considers to be a rebel province.
Taiwan determined to defend its sovereignty
On the Taiwanese side, we do not skimp on the means to ensure its security. The defense budget is expected to reach a record $19 billion in 2024, rising steadily in recent years. A considerable envelope for this small territory of 23 million inhabitants, but considered essential in the face of the Chinese giant.
Because beyond the military issue, it is the survival of Taiwan’s democratic and sovereign model that is at stake. Since 1949 and the end of the Chinese civil war, the island has been led by a government independent of that from Beijing. A status that the Taiwanese population, very attached to its freedoms, is not ready to abandon under threat.
We will never allow China to dictate our future. Independence and democracy are our red line.
– Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan
Towards an escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait?
If the balance of power remains very unbalanced in favor of China, Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its defense nevertheless seem likely to seriously complicate a possible Chinese military operation. It remains to be seen how far Beijing is prepared to go in its hawkish rhetoric and shows of force.
Because the current status quo, although fragile, has the merit of preserving a certain balance in the region. An attempt to take control of Taiwan by force would have major geopolitical and economic consequences, which China cannot ignore. Taipei’s deterrence strategy, supported by Washington, aims precisely to keep the cost of intervention at a prohibitive level for Beijing.
The delivery of these Abrams tanks is therefore a strong message addressed to China. It illustrates the American and Taiwanese determination not to give in in the face of pressure. One way of saying that the price to pay for an attack would be exorbitant. It remains to be hoped that this signal will be heard in Beijing and will contribute to reducing tensions rather than exacerbating them in this powder keg that the Taiwan Strait has become.
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