Taiwan’s military brought U.S.-made M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks into live-fire service for the first time on 10 July, opening the second day of the island’s 10-day Han Kuang war games. Four tanks from the 584th Armoured Brigade manoeuvred and fired 19 shells at moving and static targets at the Kengzikou range in Hsinchu County, part of exercises designed to test the island’s ability to repel a Chinese assault. President Lai Ching-te observed the drill, saying that each addition to Taiwan’s arsenal adds “an extra layer of security” for its 23 million people. The Abrams vehicles are the first of 108 ordered in a US$2.2 billion 2019 deal; 38 arrived in December and the remainder are due by 2026. Military planners intend to deploy the tanks to defend approaches to Taipei once they are fully commissioned later this year. Regional analysts say the armour gives Taiwan greater fire-power and mobility but will need robust counter-drone cover, a lesson underscored by tank losses in the Ukraine conflict. Beijing, which calls Taiwan a breakaway province, labelled the Han Kuang drills “nothing but a bluff” even as the People’s Liberation Army has stepped up air and naval operations around the island in recent months.