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CM-34 Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle production to start this year

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CM-34 Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle production to start this year

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CM-34 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
CM-34 Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Twelve year after the production of the first CM-32, Taiwan will begin mass production of its indigenous CM-34 “Clouded Leopard” eight-wheeled armored vehicles in 2019 and is scheduled to have produced 284 other CM-34 by 2023. The CM-32 Clouded Leopard (Yunpao, officially Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle), is an eight-wheeled armoured vehicle currently being produced for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army. The CM-34 is based on the 6×6 CM-31 designed by Timoney Technology Limited of Ireland and and will be also manufactured by the Ordnance Readiness Development Centre.

CM-34 Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle
CM-34 Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Four prototypes of the armored vehicle, officially called the “Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle” (TIFV), passed pre-mass production tests on the 19th October, allowing it to enter mass production. The prototypes have passed all 62 categories in the primary pre-mass production tests, but failed in two categories in secondary tests. The armor of the CM-32 provides protection of 7.62 mm AP rounds, while the frontal arc withstands 12.7 mm AP rounds. NBC protection and fire suppression systems are also standard. The V-shaped hull provides protection from landmines and can withstand 12 kg of TNT under any wheel.
CM-34 Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle
CM-34 Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Improvements have since been made, so the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has decided to proceed with mass production of the vehicle model equipped with a 30mm chain gun, the official said. He said that Taiwan has ordered Orbital ATK 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannons to be mounted on the vehicle. Taiwan has signed a deal with Orbital ATK for the purchase of 285 Mk44 Bushmaster 30mm cannons to be installed on CM-34. Compared with the CM-32 models that are armed with 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, the 30mm cannon has better anti-tank capabilities and can fire several accurate rounds in rapid succession. The CM-34 model will be developed to help deter a potential amphibious invasion.

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