Breaking news
Taiwan is considering the purchase of 200 American main battle tanks 2307124.
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Defense News - Taiwan |
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Monday, July 23, 2012, 03:26 PM | |||
Taiwan is considering the purchase of 200 American main battle tanks. | |||
Taiwan
is considering purchasing tanks used by the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan
to update its aging fleet, the defense ministry and media said July 23.
Taiwan remains wary of China despite a recent improvement in relations,
and military experts say the self-ruled island would deploy tanks in the
event of a land invasion by its powerful neighbor. |
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Taiwanese army M48 main battle tank |
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The M1 Abrams, which entered
U.S. service in 1980 and replaced M60s, are a third-generation main
battle tank and would bolster Taiwan’s fleet of about 1,200 tanks,
mostly M60s and M48s. The Taipei-based United Daily News said some U.S. military equipment may be left to Iraqi and Afghan troops; others may be sold to U.S. allies. In reaction to queries raised at parliament, Taiwan’s deputy defense minister, Chao Shih-chang, has said the army needs to procure 200 tanks, the News said. Washington remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan despite its switching of diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. |
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