TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's 584 Armor Brigade (陸軍584旅) deployed U.S.-made M1A2T tanks for the first time Tuesday (Dec. 23) in a strategic readiness exercise in Hsinchu, Taiwan's northern tech hub. The deployment marks the first operational movement since the M1A2T tank battalion was activated in late October. Military News Agency (軍聞社, MNA) reported the exercise aimed to enhance operational readiness and familiarize troops with terrain.
The deployment marked the tanks' first movement from the base as part of a critical infrastructure protection drill Tuesday. The brigade dispatched CM32, CM33, CM34 armored infantry fighting vehicles, CM22 mortar carriers, and Humvees equipped with TOW missiles to Hsinchu, according to MNA. The 3rd Battalion of the Combined Arms Brigade completed equipment checks, communication tests, and vehicle inspections before dawn Tuesday.
The brigade commander issued the combat order Tuesday and led the convoy to its destination in Hsinchu, Taiwan's northern tech hub. Troops assumed tactical positions to conduct force preservation and target protection maneuvers upon reaching the target zone. They simulated real-world combat scenarios to gain better understanding of the operational environment, routes, and potential defensive positions.
The exercise follows Taiwan's acquisition of 108 M1A2T tanks from the U.S., with two batches delivered last December and this July. The final batch of 28 tanks is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2026. The 584 Armor Brigade has been training with the new equipment since early 2026, with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) presiding over the M1A2T tank battalion commissioning ceremony Oct. 31. ◼
