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