On the way

I know there has been some developmental projects before whereby a T-72 hull was used to combine with a Leclerc turret. The hypothesis being that T-72 and their derivatives were plentiful and relatively cheap but the tank itself was vulnerable due to poor ammo storage design. The Leclerc turret from what I can see, stores ammo in the rear, under superior armor and with blow out panels. Plus the FCS, target acquisition sights, and even the 120mm gun is superior to what is on the T-72 and it's derivatives. The same 3 man crew with an autoloader. Why was this idea not developed further. I would think new T-72 derivatives like the PT-91 Twardy would benefit from a Leclerc turret mounted on it. Might be a little underpowered because of the heavier turret. But that is an acceptable compromise. In theory, a Leclerc/T-72 hybrid should be more survivable, have better accuracy, and might be cheaper to produce then a brand new western MBT.

My visit is confirmed for Sat May 10. Anyone else going?

Where did u get that from? She died at her farm in Australia, by suicide. Unless her farm was a bus depot, there is not likely she got run over by a bus.

They should still upgrade the armor of the M60 that they are getting as well as the ones they currently have. There are FPV drones, arty, other types of anti tank weapon with less penetrative power like the RPG copies that the PLA have. Additional armor may not help the tank survive, but if it helps the crew survive, why not? As well, no mention is made of upgunning to 120mm ala Sabra. That would be a gun that can defeat any PLA armor.

From what little time I have spend inside the ROC armor base, there are already fortifications overlooking the beaches with arty pieces. Likely their armor is used as a quick reaction counter against airborne assault and against amphibious landings. But u raise an interesting question. Why isn't the M60 they are getting being upgraded to Sabra standard either in the US before delivery or in Taiwan itself. If they had done this, They will be getting upgraded armor, FCS and a 120mm gun. A pretty good match to anything the PLA has.

And yet, would u not say the Taiwanese reaction has been less then overwhelming? Should they not be spending more then 2% GDP on defence? Should they not have asked for 200 new F-16 instead of 66? I mean 108 M1 Abrams? Really. Should have been doubled that. Until last year, Taiwanese military conscription was only 4 months, now it's 1 year. Compare this to S Korea at 18-21 months, or Singapore at 24 months. The Taiwanese can really amp up their defence posture............... if they wanted to. In the heart of hearts, I don't think the Taiwanese actually believe China will invade.

I agree with what you say. But u can never trust the China CCP. The Taiwanese of all people should have known this. The Taiwanese are buying only 66 new build Block 70 F-16s. Are you kidding me? Why only 66? Even after deliveries of these 66, the total F-16 fleet is barely 200. If they have asked the US for 150 new Block 70 F-16s, I think that sale would have been approved. And the US is strong enough not to give a crap about what the Chinese say.

I know what u are saying. but there are ways around that. For example, the Taiwanese acquired several hundred M60s between 1995 and 2000. They could have easily added more surreptitiously. Shipping another additional 200-300 M60s from US Army stocks is not a problem. Also upgrading the tanks they have, eg to Magach 7 level or Sabra is something they could have done. Adding a 120mm gun without increasing the number of hulls in service is a force multiplier. They have done nothing of this sort. Additionally, the IDF F-CK fighter only had a production run of 136 fighters due to budgetary reason. An indigenous fighter not prone to China pressure and they only build a relatively small number. They should have double the number. It may not be superior to the F-16, but it sure was a match for PLAAF fighters of that time. They wouldn't spend the money on defence. That is the bottom line. Not sanctions or threat of sanctions from China.

To answer your question - Taiwan has neglected it's defence for the last 15 years. It stopped conscription at one time, and then shortened it. It made almost no major military capital expenditures for a long time for fighters or tanks. Now they are playing catch up. Even at the projected $20 billion defence budget for 2025, when you compare that to Singapore's $23 Billion +, it's still low for a country supposedly under imminent invasion from China. The Taiwanese need to take advantage of current US and Japanese sentiments against China militarism. How would it look if they did nothing while other countries are in an outcry over it? It's better to play the card that says "Yes, poor us. China wants to attack us. Please give aid now". Even after announced spending on all those equipment you mentioned above, the real question should be "Should'nt it be more if they are serious and worried about an invasion?"

One China ideology is talk. They got Macau and HKG back because Portugal and UK voluntarily handed them back under terms of the treaty. If the UK had given every HKG citizen a firearm with 2000 rounds and all the RPGs they can carry before they voluntarily handed it over to China, I am not sure the Chinese govt would be so enthusiastic about a One China ideology, especially when it has to be militarily applied to Taiwan. And where does the One China Ideology end? Should Singapore be also under One China? After all, more then 70% of all native Singaporeans are Chinese, as well, 1 million additional PRC citizens live in Singapore.

They need to perform for the western media, who will then scream imminent invasion of Taiwan, and divert US attention to an area that really is in no danger of military conflict.

Firstly, China came from a very low baseline for military equipment, and capability. 15 years ago, China was basically a 3rd world Army and Air force, albeit it a very large one. Inspite of whatever programs the Chinese have running for aircraft, tanks, carriers, etc. they are still far behind the US. And most NATO countries. The Chinese have zero experience launching a large amphibious landing, they are not battle tested, and their doctrine is a big IF even to themselves. Then they have to assemble their invasion force in secrecy. (Almost impossible) and sail it 180km across the Taiwan Straits to land on one of the limited beaches in the north of Taiwan Island. All the time being subjected to interdiction from the air. land, sea from Taiwanese and likely US forces. If even half their fleet survives the crossing, they then have to land on the beaches and face Taiwanese forces in well prepared defensive positions and fight their way out of there. And if they even make it to a major city like Taipei, they will have to undertake fighting in a Build UP Area with the tremendous casualties that entails. No, the Chinese are not stupid. They would rather trade with the Taiwanese and make money then make war with them costing billions of $ and tens of thousands of deaths. The Taiwanese know this. That is why there is no panic on their part.

Hahahahahha. What are you? Geographically challenged? U see, there is this thing called the Taiwan Straits between China and Taiwan. It's about 180km wide. Do you see any such stretches of water between Ukraine and Russia? No? Could that be the reason why Russian easily invaded Ukraine? If Russia had to cross a 180km stretch of open water, do you thing they would maybe reconsider their invasion plans for Ukraine? Now, is there any other simple feat of logic I can explain to you? U see, its not smugness, it's a superior intellect explaining geographic facts to a simpleton.

Yes, but consider this. They have waited for 13 years before getting M1s. Does it look like they and the US think they are under eminent threat of China invasion? If you think u are going to be invaded and M1s are not coming, you would have tried to buy something else. Like Leo 2 or whatever u can get. Or just develop your own MBT. Any number of Israeli or South Korean companies will help u do this in secrecy. Non of this has happened because why? There really is no threat no matter the amount of China sabre rattling.

maybe common sense escapes u. I said that if there is a real serious threat of a china invasion, Taiwan would be on a crash program of weapons development. They are not. Therefore, there is no serious threat. U seem to think there is, as per your earlier posts. And yes, I laughed. U are hilarious.