CCTV News:A few days ago, the news that the Taiwan military will buy M1A2 tanks from the United States, which is known as the "strongest chariot on the surface", has aroused concern from all walks of life on the island. Some experts believe that the political significance of purchasing tanks is far greater than the military significance. Then, US arms sales to Taiwan are not good for cross-strait relations and Sino-US relations. Why does Taiwan Province insist on buying from the US military? What impact will this have on the situation in the Taiwan Strait?
[News background]
Taiwan Province’s China Times reported that Taiwan’s military officials confirmed that Taiwan’s defense agencies will formally budget about NT$ 30 billion next year and purchase about 100 M1A2 tanks from the United States, which Tsai Ing-Wen is quite supportive of. M1A2 tank is called "the strongest chariot on the surface" and weighs about 70 tons, which is 20 tons heavier than the active "Brave Tiger" tank of Taiwan Army. The head of Taiwan Province’s defense department said that this tank will be the key force for the Taiwan military to "win the battle on the seashore and wipe out the enemy". Holding a tank that can block the armored spearhead of the People’s Liberation Army will not only boost the morale of officers and men, but also provide the people in Taiwan Province with a certain degree of psychological guarantee of "promising resistance". However, some experts said that Taiwan Province’s purchase of tanks is more about paying protection fees to the United States, and its political significance is greater than its military significance. For the so-called "defending Taiwan Province against reunification", it will not play much role.
Taiwan Province wants to buy the "strongest surface" tank from the United States.
Image source network: Professor Qiu Yi of China Culture University
Qiu Yi, a professor at China Culture University.M1A2 tank has a brand-new and most advanced battlefield management system and an inter-vehicle information system. It is equipped with brand-new defense armor and electronic equipment, so it is called the strongest digital tank in active service of the US military. Taiwan Province used to want to buy this type of tank, but the United States thinks that this type of tank can’t be maneuvered at all on terrain like Taiwan Province. Now Tsai Ing-Wen relies heavily on Yan Defa, the head of Taiwan Province’s defense department. He is an armored soldier, and now he wants to restart the stove and ask the United States. This time, the United States tends to agree. Recently, relevant reports from the CIA in Sweden and the United States mentioned some weaknesses of M1A2 tanks, and even mentioned that the mainland 99A main battle tank, which followed closely, could penetrate the protective armor of M1A2 tanks after firing armor-piercing projectiles. It shows that it is not as strong as it is boasted at present. More importantly, M1A2 tanks are mainly used in the Gulf campaign, which is suitable for large-scale grassland or desert operations. The terrain of Taiwan Province makes M1A2 tanks useless, and even becomes a fixed battery and becomes the target of the other side because of inconvenient movement. "
No matter whether it is suitable or not, the Taiwan Province authorities have compiled a budget. How long will it take from the budget estimation to the successful purchase from the United States and the transportation of tanks to Taiwan Province to equip the Taiwan military to form a combat force? Even if these tanks are really equipped inside the Taiwan military, how big is the improvement of combat power? In particular, how much can land defense help?
Yu Qiang, Associate Professor, School of International Relations: "In terms of time, if the budget is prepared now, it should be paid to the US from 2019. Americans will definitely not see rabbits and not scatter eagles. The question is when the US will hand over tanks to Taiwan Province, depending on what tanks the US will give to Taiwan Province. If the US gives Taiwan Province refurbished old tanks, the delivery speed will be faster. If it is newly built by the US, will the US agree that if it takes a very long time to build, tanks equipped to the Taiwan military will enhance their combat effectiveness? Because, Taiwan’s active tanks are too old, a CM11‘ Yonghu ’ The type tank equipped in 1990 has been ‘ 28 years old ’ . Another M60A3 tank was equipped in 1995. This tank was retired after the Gulf War in the United States. It was sold to Taiwan Province after being refurbished, and its service life has been ‘ More than 30 years old ’ Yes. In 2016, a tank of the Taiwan Province military fell into the river when crossing the bridge, and three soldiers were killed. "
Even if it is bought back, it may not work. Even if it can satisfy Tsai Ing-Wen’s vanity, why does she insist on buying it? Some commentators believe that this is actually the opportunity for Tsai Ing-Wen authorities to pay protection fees to the United States to seek help and support from the United States. Can American military equipment really protect the safety of Taiwan Province people?
Qiu Yi, a professor at China Culture University.Many people and opponents in Taiwan Province believe that Taiwan Province is in a difficult financial situation and is heavily in debt, so the money should be used where it should be. Tsai Ing-Wen authorities don’t think so. Cai authorities have to rely on the so-called strengthening of US-Taiwan relations to decorate the facade to boost the support rate. The United States knows Taiwan Province’s mentality, so it can blackmail as much as it can. When something happens in Taiwan Province, 100% of the United States will not help defend Taiwan Province, and the United States just pays lip service to it. The United States regards Taiwan Province as a big head, as a chip and pawn that can be discarded at any time, and as a pawn and watchdog of others. Tsai Ing-Wen wants to resist reunification and go ‘ Taiwan independence ’ The route is still determined to go to this dead end. "
Whether Tsai Ing-Wen buys tanks or other weapons and equipment from the United States, it is futile to refuse reunification by force. Moreover, the more such protection fees are paid, it will not only aggravate the tension between the two sides of the strait, but also arouse the dissatisfaction of the people on the island.
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