Taiwan unveils 105mm wheeled tank and adds drone protection nets for battlefield threats

To cope with the increasingly complex battlefield environment, the Taiwan Army recently conducted a performance demonstration of the mass-production model of the 105mm wheeled tank at the Southern Warfare Training Center, officially announcing that drone protection nets will be added to the mass-produced vehicles starting next year. This initiative not only strengthens the vehicle's firepower and protection, but also demonstrates the military's proactive stance in technological upgrades and tactical adaptation.

The 105mm wheeled tank is a domestically developed medium armored vehicle aimed at addressing the insufficient firepower and mobility of older armored vehicles. Compared to traditional tracked main battle tanks, the wheeled design offers higher mobility and easier maintenance in road and urban environments, while mounting a 105mm main gun that provides sufficient firepower to counter light armored vehicles and anti-aircraft guns. The model showcased this time is already equipped with the latest fire control systems and reinforced armor structures, aligning with the Ministry of National Defense's long-term plan for "modernized equipment upgrades."

During the live-fire exercises on the 23rd, the 105mm main gun completed multiple live-fire tests, alongside a simultaneous demonstration of the 50mm remote-controlled weapon station and the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The 50mm remote-controlled weapon station utilizes remote-operation technology, allowing gunners to operate from inside the vehicle and reducing their exposure to risk, while the coaxial machine gun provides quick-reaction close-combat firepower. The coordinated operation of the three weapon systems fully demonstrated the vehicle's capability to maximize firepower across various tactical scenarios.

Facing the Chinese mainland's growing drone reconnaissance and attack capabilities, the military has decided to incorporate drone protection nets into the mass-production models. This mesh structure can automatically deploy when a drone approaches, intercepting or disabling small drones to reduce threats to the vehicle and surrounding troops. This move not only enhances the vehicle's self-protection capabilities, but also meets the strategic requirements of "total-area defense," which is of vital significance for maintaining the survival rate of armored forces in a high-pressure cross-strait environment.

This upgrade represents not only a technological advancement, but also a concrete manifestation of Taiwan enhancing its combat flexibility and defense depth when facing complex threats. As the mass-production models enter active service next year, they are expected to further strengthen the Army's operational effectiveness in rapid deployment and urban warfare, providing more comprehensive protection and fire support for potential future conflicts.

(Source: Central News Agency)