Taiwan unveils domestically developed armored vehicle
Taiwan’s military on Wednesday showcased a new armored vehicle to the press, with mass production of the domestically developed vehicle set to begin next year as the island seeks to strengthen its ground combat capabilities amid heightened cross-strait tensions.
The eight-wheeled armored vehicle, equipped with a 105-millimeter cannon and capable of a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour, was demonstrated to the media at a military facility in southern Taiwan.
The demonstration included live-fire exercises with stationary and moving targets. The island plans to produce a total of 178 such armored vehicles in stages as part of efforts to achieve greater defense self-reliance, according to the military.
The vehicle stands about 2.95 meters tall and meets requirements for Taiwan’s geographic conditions and offers greater maneuverability and flexibility in urban combat, the military said.
Despite the absence of official diplomatic ties, the United States is one of Taiwan’s most important arms suppliers, providing the island with such weapons as F-16 fighter jets and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS.
Beijing, which views Taiwan as a renegade province to be united with the mainland, has opposed US arms sales to Taiwan.
Mainland China has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
