Taiwan's Marine Corps 66th Brigade Embraces Drones, Decommissions Heavy Armor

Taiwan's military is undergoing a significant transformation in its equipment and operational focus, with the Marine Corps' 66th Brigade in northern Taiwan leading the shift away from heavy armor. This unit has fully decommissioned its M60A3 tanks and M109A2 self-propelled howitzers, reallocating personnel and resources towards drone technology and new firepower units.

The 66th Brigade's former tank battalion is being restructured into a "drone battalion," emphasizing reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and attack capabilities. Similarly, its artillery battalion has been reorganized into a "firepower battalion." This strategic pivot reflects a move from traditional heavy armored forces to a more mobile and intelligence-driven operational model, incorporating advanced unmanned systems.

In contrast, the 99th Brigade, stationed in southern Taiwan, continues to maintain its M60A3 tanks and M109A2 self-propelled howitzers, preserving its heavy strike capability. This divergence highlights that the phasing out of certain heavy equipment is not uniform across the Marine Corps. Instead, the deployment and retention of specific assets are being tailored to different defensive missions and operational environments across Taiwan.

Taiwan possesses over 200 M109A2 and M109A5 155mm self-propelled howitzers, primarily used by the Army and Marine Corps. The more advanced M109A5 variants are operated by the Army's 542nd Combined Brigade. As the Army receives new M109A7 howitzers, older models are expected to be gradually replaced, though specific units and deployment locations are yet to be announced by the Ministry of National Defense.