Armaments Bureau: 105mm Wheeled Tank Destroyer Passes Army Evaluation, Mass Production in 2027

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. To strengthen combat capabilities, the Armaments Bureau has developed a 105mm wheeled tank destroyer, producing D1 and D2 prototypes, with the D3 prototype debuting at last year's defense exhibition. Armaments Bureau Chief Lieutenant General Lin Wen-hsiang stated today that the 105mm Cloud Leopard wheeled tank destroyer has been modified to a height of under 3 meters. The D3 prototype passed Army evaluation last year, and mass production is expected to start next year (2027). During a joint meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Finance, Foreign Affairs, and National Defense committees, DPP Legislator Lin Dai-hua expressed concerns about the vehicle's height and battlefield concealment. Lin Wen-hsiang responded that the vehicle has been optimized, with the D3 prototype passing tests. The D3 prototype was developed after the Army requested a height reduction from 3.3 meters to under 3 meters, following initial tests of the D1 and D2 models. The turret was developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), and the hull by the Armaments Bureau. The optimized design allows for 16 tank shells in the turret and 17 in the hull. The observation system is all-weather capable, identifying vehicles at 2,500 meters and personnel at 1,500 meters. The turret features dual-axis stabilization for firing on the move and can penetrate 500mm of steel at 2,000 meters. It also includes a 'Hunter-Killer' function similar to the M1A2T tank. Performance specs include a top speed of 100 km/h, a 500 km range, and the ability to clear 45cm vertical obstacles, 60% slopes, and 70cm wading depth. It is equipped with a 12.7mm remote weapon station, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and smoke grenade launchers, making it a vital asset for ground search, security, and cover missions.