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.
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