Taiwan deploys new M1A2T Abrams tanks to Taoyuan Airport for first time in anti-airborne drill

Published Aug 7, 04:36 PM UTC

Taiwan deployed its new M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks to Taoyuan International Airport for the first time as part of the Han Kuang 42 exercise, simulating a defense against a Chinese People's Liberation Army airborne assault aimed at seizing the airport as an airbridge for invading forces. The drill involved the 584th Armored Brigade, including four M1A2T tanks and six Clouded Leopard infantry fighting vehicles, along with combat engineers setting up hedgehog obstacles and using civilian infrastructure for defensive planning. The exercise also rehearsed casualty evacuation and chemical decontamination, while commercial flights continued normally. A final escalation phase involved plans to demolish runways if the airfield could not be held. The scenario echoes the battle for Hostomel Airport in Ukraine. Taiwan has received all 108 M1A2T tanks ordered from the United States, with final deliveries in April 2026.