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FLASH TRAFFIC is a feature unique to Taiwan Defense Review (TDR), designed to help our readers maximize their awareness of the latest developments and possibilities. The section is mainly comprised of very short (but documented) news bursts. It also includes a judiciously filtered collection of the latest rumors that are being heard "within the circle". Though difficult to verify to TDR's high journalistic standards, this type of "whispers", common in the defense community, is valuable in its ability to suggest the existence of very fresh leads worthy of follow-up. All FLASH TRAFFIC items not substantiated to the satisfaction of our critical editorial board will be clearly marked as Grapevines, alerting our readers to use the information with care.
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US Offers Surplus Tanks to Taiwan? - October 13, 1998
Grapevines
Rumors in Taiwan's defense equipment circle have it that the US is considering the sale of a number of surplus M-1 Abrams tanks (armed with the 105mm gun) to Taiwan. Unit price is said to be around US$1.4 million. There were a total of slightly under 3,300 M-1s produced, including the final block of 894 vehicles delivered between 10/84 and 5/86 which featured improved armor protection, before production switched to the M-1A1 (equipped with 120mm smooth-bore gun, integrated NBC protection system and other improvements). Presumably, the "surplus" Abrams in question would pertain to the earliest production models. 
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