I came across an article a couple of nights ago about a handful of issues concerning
TAIWAN and its current tank situation. One tank I thought was in error of being in, however, this is why I do things the way I do, I research the topic regardless of what I might think my initial thoughts are on the matter. For that particular tank I will say the START would be impossible due to the refs I have and will have to be adjusted a
minimum of 1.5 yrs. to the right.
For the next we couldn't have picked a better
START for that tank unless we had access to a "
crystal ball".
There will be finally new updates again to the
M-60A3 which I feel they'll have enough of for a
START of JAN 2025.
The last concerns the
CM-12 I have thus far only found
1 source saying about
40 of these tanks were also updated with a 120mm and supporting systems much like what happened to the same number of
M-60A3 tanks. The first ref. will get the ball rolling...
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...ing-for-m1-mbt
(July 4, 2024)
1. M1A2T UNIT 025: As some might remember we built this tank a year or two ago to address the export versions for this and other tanks that were built and submitted in last year's Patch. we had some discussion on this because this wasn't the first time
TAIWAN, and the
ABRAMS were used in the same breath
going back at least 15yrs. So from the article...
"The United States has sold 108 M1 tanks to Taiwan. Currently, about 40 tanks have left the factory. The
first batch of 38 tanks will be delivered to Taiwan in the
fourth quarter of this year. (2 are the HERCULES Recovery versions.) " Since the source was undoubtably from the DOD, we just
entered the
4th Qtr. on the JUL 1 (JUL.-SEP.) of the
2024 Fiscal Year. So, the
START is good unless you wish to make it
OCT. TAIWAN has been waiting for about
5yrs. now since they bought them when I posted on the matter. They've been training in the U.S. starting
around 3yrs. ago if memory serves.
They are certainly
ready to fully operate the 1st batch and I would suspect the next when it arrives in latter
2025.
2. M-60TAIWAN-P UNIT 026: When I saw this tank in the OOB I just wasn't so sure about it. But I looked into it, and I found some "
stuff" I it however the
refs just don't support the current START. This tank is a complete
RESET a
real term I haven't used since maybe I submitted the
M1A1 FEP and a couple of other
ABRAMS during that "
Rabbit Hole DEBACLE" (Don was really happy with me on that, though
about 3/4 of that were game
legacy issues.). Given this refs date of
March 17, 2022, you see my issue. So... "Upgraded tanks are
expected to be
redelivered in batches by October 2025. " Allowing for retooling and completely doing a
FULL RESET; I
really can't see more than
10 -15 tanks any earlier than START OCT. 2023 out of the 40 to be RESET. Conservatively speaking JAN. 2024. Also increase the
SPEED based on the fact these also should have received the
1200HP engines the below are getting,
replacing the original 750HP engines.
https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/...ng-tank-boost/
(March 17, 2022/Reliable used in the past for OPLOT-T etc.)
M-60A3: Less the
40 above this leaves TAIWAN with 420 (
Refs are saying 460) operational units. They will
ALL be upgraded and
RESET. Completion date is set for
2028.
TAIWAN/ADD/M-60A3M (OR "TM")/COPY/M-60TAIWAN-P*/AS FOLLOWS/START JAN 2025/SPEED/BASED ON 1200HP ENGINE VICE 750HP/EW 4*/RADIO 92/TI/GSR 40*/MG 105 M68 84/FC 50*/STABILISER 6*/REACTIVE*/HF 15/TF 15/TOP 15. // I also used
M-60A3 UNIT 023 as these are
M-60A3 tanks getting
RESET. There is
NO reason (Written or otherwise.) that these aren't getting the same systems and if you do a
good read of the refs for this
RESET they are the
same exact ones the
M-60TAIWAN-P had done on them less the armor upgrade.
ERA is mine which I feel is a reasonable designer prerogative and likely to occur anyway. Also, half the fleet are getting are
brand new 105mm tubes.
https://www.defencetoday.com/land/la...-battle-tanks/
(March 17, 2023)
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5897003
(June 29, 2024)
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news...ing-for-m1-mbt
(July 4, 2024)
CM-12: I'd feel better if the tank in the picture showed a 120mm,
but it looks like a 105mm to me.
https://militaryview.com/taiwan-cm-1...midable-force/
Finally, while doing the
RESET M-60A3 I discovered we don't have a
M-60A3 in service unless I missed it. I don't know if we need to add a new one based on newer ammo. Also, I don't know if they had the 105mm guns upgraded as we have the
last one in service ending in 1997. Since the all the refs I've come across
didn't mention a 105mm grade I think it safe it
didn't happen. An ammo upgrade however is
more likely with the
TTS in service. So...
TAIWAN/CHANGE/M-60A3/UNIT 021/END TO DEC 2025 VICE DEC 1997. //
OR
TAIWAN/ADD/M-60A3/COPY/M-60A3 UNIT 021/START UNKNOWN/END DEC 2025/ADD NEW 105mm AMMO TYPE. // START based on when new ammo was available. This might still
necessitate an end date change for
UNIT 021 when the newer
105mm ammo was in use.
Also,
TAIWAN (U.S.?) will this tank transporter this is the upgraded version
AND is the ONLY one that can transport an
M1A2 whatever. The previous version was found in
Iraq to have issues with the M1A1 as those tanks were up armored during the conflict.
https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervie...77A7&FORM=VIRE
(In very beginning I believe it showed a 90 Ton Load capacity.)
Picture from JANES during USA Op testing.
My Dad while in Germany before we moved Stateside was attached to the
97th Tank Transport Division and was awarded a certificate for being made an official member of "
The Royal Order of Dragooners" while stationed at Rommel's "Panzer Kasserine" just outside of Stuttgart (W.) Germany.
Regards,
Pat
