On October 31, Taiwan took another step in its military modernization by holding a ceremony in Hukou, Xinzhu County, to establish the 3rd Combined Troops Battalion of the 584th Armored Brigade, 6th Army — the country’s first unit equipped with U.S.-made M1A2T Abrams tanks.
During the event, President Lai Ching-te sent a direct message to Beijing, stating that “only strength can bring true peace.” According to him, signing peace agreements or yielding to external pressure does not guarantee security.
“Signing a peace agreement will not bring peace; accepting the aggressor’s claims and giving up sovereignty will not bring peace either,” Lai declared.
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Message of resistance and sovereignty
The Taiwanese leader emphasized that Taiwan must firmly oppose China’s “one country, two systems” principle and defend its freedom, democracy, and national sovereignty.
He reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and that the island’s future must be decided solely by its 23 million citizens.
Training in the U.S. and combat readiness
Lai also noted that the tank unit personnel received training in the United States and achieved “excellent” results during recent combat capability tests and live-fire exercises.
The introduction of the M1A2T Abrams — a customized version of the U.S. main battle tank tailored for Taipei — marks a significant milestone in the island’s defense strategy, as it continues to strengthen its military capabilities amid increasing pressure from Beijing.
Part of a broader defense plan
In addition to the Abrams tanks, the Taiwanese Army has also formed its first battery equipped with U.S.-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems, boosting the island’s rapid-response and deterrence capabilities.
With these steps, Taipei’s defense plans continue to gain momentum, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining military readiness in the face of a potential Chinese invasion.
Source and images: 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC (Taiwan) X @MoNDefense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
