Taiwan to get first US Abrams tanks after years of delay. But can they take on the PLA?

Taiwan will receive the first batch of its long-awaited M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks from the United States by the end of this year, according to the island’s defence ministry.

The initial batch of 108 battle tanks was approved for sale in 2019, as Taiwan sought to boost its ability to fend off a landing in preparation for any cross-strait conflict.

A shipment of 38 tanks is now expected to arrive in December.

However, with the rapidly evolving dynamics of modern warfare, some analysts have questioned the effectiveness of the tanks against threats such as suicide drone attacks.

News of the imminent delivery coincided with Washington’s announcement of its largest ever military aid package for Taiwan under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).