Obat 021 - Taiwan

[MarkSheppard]

So apparently the Taiwanese are getting a new IFV/MGS combination, like everyone else in the world.

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Jane's Defence Weekly - January 09, 2008

Taiwan prepares to resume Cloud Leopard production

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has said that the production of the Cloud Leopard (CM-32) armoured personnel carrier (APC) is set to resume in early 2008.

Production of the 8 x 8 APC was suspended in October 2007 following allegations of irregularities during the initial bidding stage for production of the vehicle's reinforced chassis.

A lawmaker from the island's main opposition party, the KMT, had accused the MND of acting improperly when it awarded a Cloud Leopard production contract to Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). Rival bidder San Yang also claimed that the military had unfairly favoured AIDC. However, military sources explained that AIDC had only been handed an initial tender to produce test vehicles - something that would not preclude San Yang from bidding for the main contract. A military spokesman added that "a deal will be struck that will allow both companies to produce parts for the Cloud Leopard".

A second hearing is expected to conclude in the coming weeks, with military officials continuing to deny any wrongdoing. They do not expect any further delays to the production of the vehicle.

The total procurement cost for the Cloud Leopard is estimated at USD1.05 billion.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's military said that a 105 mm low-recoil turret gun to be fitted on the CM-32 has entered production at the island's 202nd Arsenal.

The gun, developed by the island's Institute of Science and Technology, has a recoil distance of 600 mm and recoil weight of 26 tons. It is capable of firing a wide range of 105 mm ordnance and has a range of 1,500 m.

According to an MND spokesman, delivery of the first CM-32s fitted with the 105 mm turret gun is expected to begin in late 2008.

Taiwan's military has said that the Cloud Leopards will replace 700 of the island's ageing M41 light tanks. The M48H (also known as the CM-11) and M60A3 main battle tanks will continue to form the backbone of Taiwan's armoured units.

The spokesman added that the island's military is hoping to develop a remote-controlled version of the 105 mm low-recoil gun within two years.

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From GS Org:

The CM-32 is an 8x8 armored vehicle based on the design of the 6x6 CM-31. The vehicle takes its moniker from Taiwan's nearly extinct clouded leopard, or "Yunpao," because of its agility and stealth.

...

The new vehicles would replace some 700 M-41 tanks, while M48-Hs and M60-A3s would remain the backbone of the army's tank force.

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The CM-32 will reportedly have a Caterpillar C12 engine and a range of 800 kilometers. It will be capable of amphibious operations and support a crew of two. the 21-ton vehicle is designed to carry six fully equipped men [other reports say eight passengers].

Specs:

Crew 2+8
Combat Weight 14,670Kg
Length 6,350mm
Width 2,700mm
Height 2,230mm
Max. Speed 120 kph Open road
Max. Speed in Water 8 kph Propellar Driven
R
Ballistic Protection 7.62 mm AP All Round
Ballistic Protection 12.7 mm AP Frontal Arc
Ballistic Protection 12 kg TNT Anywhere under the Vehicle

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Here's two pictures of both the IFV and MGS variants:






Top back view of 105mm MGS turret for icon makers...

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Looks to me that they're using teh United Defense 25mm Turret; which is actually a derivative of the Bradley Turret on the export market; so it should be easy to get half of the icon for the IFV variant, as well as the armor levels; since it's probably equal to the early M2/M3 bradleys, before all the uparmoring.

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It also appears that unit 067 - "CM31" may actually have become obsolete due to this line in a news report:

"The military launched the project for an all-purpose armored carrier suitable for Taiwan eight years ago. A prototype of a six-wheeled armored vehicle, the CM-31, was completed a few years ago, but was scrapped because it was unstable while on the move.

The military then began a new project in early 2000 for an eight-wheeled vehicle that culminated in the three prototypes on display yesterday."