Taiwan’s experimental eight-wheeled armored combat vehicle equipped with an 105mm gun passed an initial operational capability assessment in October last year, clearing the path for mass production this year, the Ministry of National Defense said.
The ministry made the announcement in a written report to the Legislative Yuan ahead of tomorrow’s legislative hearing on the progress of indigenous weapons development programs.
The prototype, the designation of which has not yet been revealed, was derived from the CM-33 Clouded Leopard armored vehicles, but has significantly heavier firepower and an improved chassis.
Photo: Taipei Times
The army’s combined arms brigades on Taiwan proper would be the first to receive the new armored combat vehicles, a defense official with knowledge of the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
After that, the army plans to use the chassis designed for the new vehicles to upgrade all Clouded Leopard models, improving their maneuverability and survivability, and ensuring part standardization across the fleet, the official said.
Units on the nation’s outlying islands would then receive Clouded Leopard vehicles to replace their M41D Walker Bulldogs and CM21 armored personnel carriers, which until now were the only vehicles compact enough to operate there, given the infrastructure on the islands, they said.
The new chassis has a lower clearance, which reduces the vehicle’s overall height, making it harder to detect or hit, the official said.
It also features a shorter turning radius and is narrower, boosting the vehicle’s maneuverability, which is key for urban warfare, they said.
The Marine Corps has also expressed interest in the new armored combat vehicle as a replacement for its M60A3 Patton tanks, which are almost too large for Taiwan’s landing ships, the official said.
The marines are prioritizing the acquisition of an 81mm mortar carrier based on the Humvee that was developed by the Armaments Bureau, instead of a 120mm mortar carrier based on the CM-33 Clouded Leopard model, the official said.
The Marine Corps believes the lighter and more mobile 81mm mortar carrier is a better fit for its “fast-in, fast-out” doctrine, despite having less firepower and protection, the official said.
In its report, the defense ministry detailed progress made by the nation’s indigenous arms development programs.
Under the Advanced Trainer Jet program, Taiwan has ordered 66 AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle jets, of which 27 have been delivered since 2020, the report said, adding that the remainder are expected be delivered over the next two years.
The navy’s indigenous ship-building programs for landing platform docks, search-and-rescue vessels, next-generation corvettes and cutters, fast minelayers and submarines are all proceeding according to schedule, with several vessels having been delivered, the ministry said.
Since the Clouded Leopard vehicle program was launched in 2011, the Armaments Bureau has produced 378 CM-32 and CM-33 vehicles armed with automatic grenade launchers, and 305 CM-34 vehicles armed with 30mm cannons, delivering all that were ordered, it said.
A wheeled tactical reconnaissance vehicle designed for speed and agility is being developed, and the initial operational capability assessment has been tentatively scheduled for October, it said.
The ministry said it has completed delivery of new light sniper rifles, while a new heavy sniper rifle has passed an initial assessment and deliveries are expected to begin late this year.
The T112 assault rifle, a gun featuring red dot optics, infrared illuminators and other modern ergonomic features, passed an initial assessment in November last year and is on its way to becoming the army’s next standard-issue weapon, it said.
A new type of ballistic plate for infantry body armor capable of resisting the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s steel-core, armor-piercing 5.8×42mm ammunition was developed late last year, the ministry said, adding that they are expected to enter mass production.
The Thai government on Friday announced that Taiwanese would be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days per entry, under the Southeast Asian country’s visa-free program starting from today. Taiwan is among 93 countries included in the Thai visa-waiver program, which has been expanded from 57 countries, with the visa-exempt entry extended from 30 to 60 days. After taking office last year, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to grant more visa waivers to foreign travelers as part of efforts to stimulate tourism. The expanded visa-waiver program was on Friday signed by Thai Minister of the Interior Anutin
BAIL APPEALS: The former vice premier was ordered to be held incommunicado despite twice being granted bail and paying a total of NT$12 million in bond The Taoyuan District Court yesterday ordered the detention of former vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), who is being investigated for alleged corruption while serving as Taoyuan mayor from December 2014 to December 2022, and that he be held incommunicado. The court made the ruling during a bail hearing after prosecutors appealed its bail ruling twice. Cheng on Saturday was released after posting bail of NT$5 million (US$153,818). However, after prosecutors lodged an appeal, the High Court on Monday revoked the original ruling and ordered the Taoyuan District Court to hold another bail hearing. On Tuesday, the district court granted bail to Cheng a second
PEACE AND SECURITY: China’s military ambitions present ‘the greatest strategic challenge to Japan and the world, Japan’s annual defense white paper said yesterday Japan yesterday warned that China risked escalating tensions with Taiwan with an increase in military exercises that appeared aimed in part at readying Beijing’s forces for a possible invasion. Japan’s annual assessment of security threats, including those posed by China, North Korea and Russia, comes as Taiwan closely monitors Chinese People’s Liberation Army air and sea exercises, including one with the Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. The drills are the latest in a series including maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait last year that a senior US general said would be key to any invasion. “Because of that increase in military activity,
SECURITY CONCERNS: An FBI agent said it was surprising that the shooter, whose motive remains unknown, was able to open fire before the Secret Service killed him On the heels of an apparent attempt to kill him, former US president Donald Trump yesterday called for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him injured, but “fine,” and the shooter and a rally-goer dead. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting His aides said he was in “great spirits” and doing well. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” he