Wed, May 20, 2026 page2

• Army carries out readiness exercise with M1A2T tanks

  • By Fang Wei-li and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writer
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  The army conducted combat readiness exercises in Hsinchu early this morning, deploying M1A2T tanks and armored vehicles in anti-infiltration and anti-airborne drills aimed at demonstrating its ability to defend key coastal landing areas amid continued military pressure from China.

  The exercises, carried out by the 6th Army Command, marked the second anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration.

  The army launched the combat readiness patrol before dawn, with troops conducting final checks on tank weapons, engines and communications systems before setting out.

  

  An M1A2T tank rolls over a bridge along the Toucian River in Hsinchu early this morning.

  Photo: Fang Wei-li, Taipei Times

  Six M1A2T tanks were mobilized from the 584 Combined Arms Brigade alongside CM32 and CM33 eight-wheeled armored vehicles and TOW missile vehicles.

  The convoy then moved onto Provincial Highway No. 1 for tactical maneuvers, with the exercise focusing on securing key bridges and river crossings.

  Under the cover of darkness, the forces quickly reached the Jiougang (舊港) and Baidi (白地) bridges in the Toucian River (頭前溪) area, testing how rapidly troops could respond and deploy after receiving orders.

  

  A soldier with the 584th Armor Brigade’s 3rd Joint Battalion deploys a TOW 2B missile vehicle to establish a defensive screen for a combat readiness patrol convoy early this morning in Hsinchu.

  Photo: Fang Wei-li, Taipei Times

  These bridges are key transportation links crossing the main and tributary channels of the Toucian River.

  Nanliao (南寮) Beach lies to the west near the river mouth, one of Taiwan’s “red beaches,” or coastal areas considered highly vulnerable to large-scale amphibious landings by enemy forces.

  If enemy troops were to land at Nanliao, they could advance along the corridors on both sides of the Toucian River toward strategic political and economic sites, including Hsinchu Air Base and Hsinchu Science Park.

  To prevent enemy forces from pushing inland, the exercise sent a reconnaissance platoon ahead to secure the area and provide cover.

  The tank convoy then moved in with increased spacing between vehicles and crossed in staggered groups to reduce the risk of being targeted or hit all at once.

  The realistic training scenario not only tested long-distance mobility and road movement, but also strengthened soldiers’ ability to respond under pressure, showing the armored unit’s capability to seize key bridges and carry out defensive and counterattack operations, company commander Captain Lu Chun-ying (盧俊穎) said.

  After crossing, the convoy moved on to tactical positions to rehearse protection of key targets and critical infrastructure.

  Addressing recent discussion about the readiness and maintenance of the M1A2T tanks, deputy brigade commander Colonel Chang Chia-hsien (張嘉顯) of the 584 Combined Arms Brigade said the unit carries out regular inspections and maintenance, and maintains a high operational readiness rate.

  Any issues were identified during routine checks and fixed with the help of US-trained personnel and technical advisors from the US, Chang said.

  The army has sufficient spare parts and, together with US technical support and domestic maintenance capacity, is fully capable of ensuring the new tanks meet operational needs, he added.
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