A new Republic of China Marine Corps unit assigned to land-based security has replaced its aging assault rifles with US-made M4A1 systems, according to state media.
The move affects the First Security Battalion under the Marine Corps Air Defense and Base Guard Group, which has transitioned from the locally-produced T65K2 rifles adopted in the late 1980s to the newer weapons.
Officials have not disclosed when the upgrade occurred or how many firearms the unit received.
Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the small arms were possibly acquired through Foreign Military Financing approved during the administration of former US President Joe Biden.
Tzu-yun noted that the M4A1 has a shorter barrel that improves handling and maneuverability in confined environments compared with the older T65K2.
The rifle also features a Picatinny rail system that allows flexible mounting of additional accessories such as combat optical gunsights, improving effectiveness during base security and close quarters operations.
M4A1 Specifications
The M4A1 measures 29.75 (75.5 centimeters) long, has a weight of 6.36 pounds (8.2 kilograms) and a magazine capacity of 30 rounds.
It supports 5.56×45-millimeter NATO shells, has a fire rate of up to 950 rounds per minute, and an effective range of up to 600 meters (1,969 feet).
Expanding Security Units
Taiwan’s First Security Battalion was established in November 2024 under the Marine Corps Air Defense and Base Guard Group as part of a broader restructuring and is composed mainly of conscripts serving one-year compulsory service.
The group’s primary mission is to provide protection for ground missile and radar crews, ensuring both their movement and the sustained operability of sites assigned.
Taipei is expected to form a second security battalion under the same group later this year.
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