Taiwan's CM-34 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, fitted with an Orbital ATK 30 mm gun, is pictured at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) in 2019. (Janes/Kelvin Wong)
Taiwan's Armaments Bureau showcased its locally developed CM-34 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) at a media event on 16 June.
The event was intended to demonstrate the capability of the vehicle against a background of growing tension between Taiwan and China.
In comments reported by state news, an Armaments Bureau official confirmed that the Republic of China Army (RoCA) has ordered 305 CM-34s, with 173 delivered since 2019.
The official also said that the bureau's 209th Arsenal facility in Jiji, in the centre of Taiwan, is building six CM-34s a month, indicating that deliveries of the type are on track to be completed by 2023.
The event marked the first time that the CM-34 had been demonstrated to media, although a prototype of the vehicle was unveiled at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) in 2019.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) initially ordered 284 CM-34s, with an order for an additional 21 vehicles confirmed in August 2020. In April 2020 the MND also disclosed that the RoCA had used the CM-34 in training manoeuvres, stating that the primary target of the platform will be wheeled vehicles and fortified bunkers.
The 24-tonne CM-34 is the IFV variant of the locally developed CM-32 ‘Cloud Leopard' family of armoured vehicles.
Janes has previously reported that the CM-34 is armed with a stabilised Orbital ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30 mm dual-feed cannon and a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. Six smoke-grenade launchers are fitted to either side of the turret, which offers protection against 12.7 mm heavy machine gun fire.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
