The military yesterday announced that in five years it would retire its aging M41D tanks, indigenous CM-24 armored vehicles and F-5 jets, resulting in defense budget savings of up to NT$3.2 billion (US$98.55 million).
The two vehicles and aircraft are among more than 1,000 aging armaments and weapons systems set to be decommissioned from this year to 2028, Rear Admiral Chen Chun-chung (陳春忠), who is in charge of weapons at the Ministry of National Defense, told a news conference.
Taking the equipment out of active service would save money and be a more efficient use of the defense budget, Chen said.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense via CNA
The M41D tanks, which are deployed on offshore Kinmen County’s Lieyu Islet near China, are an upgraded version of the M41A3 tanks that the ministry decommissioned in 2022 after they were used by the army for more than 60 years.
The CM-24 is an armored ammunition transport vehicle that carries eight-inch shells and ammunition.
The air force has used F-5E/F fighters for nearly 50 years. The F-5s, which are now used for training, are to be replaced by domestically made advanced jet trainers.
Asked what would replace the M41D tanks, Chen told reporters the ministry has contingency plans in place and would make an official announcement once the details are finalized.
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