According to information published by the "Taiwan News" website in December 2020, Taiwan will develop a new variant of its CM-32 nicknamed Clouded Leopard armed with a 105mm cannon.
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A mobile gun version of the CM-32 armed with a 105mm cannon was presented during a defense exhibition in Taiwan. (Picture source: Wikimedia)
The CM-32 is an 8x8 armored vehicle fully designed and manufactured in Taiwan to meet the operational requirements of the Republic of China (ROC) Army. The project of the new CM-32 was launched in 2002 and the production of the vehicle started in 2007.
The CM-32 is in service with the Taiwanese army in many configurations including the CM-32 command post, CM-33 APC Armored Personnel Carrier, and CM-34 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle fitted with a two-man turret armed with an Orbital ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon.
The design of the vehicle is very similar to modern 8x8 armored vehicles produced in Europe. The driver and the engine are located at the front of the vehicle, a turret in the middle and a troop's compartment at the rear.
The hull of the CM-32 is of all-welded steel armor providing ballistic protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.
The new variant will be fitted with a two-man turret armed with one 105mm cannon, one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun will be mounted on the roof of the turret.
Two prototypes of the new 105mm Clouded Leopard are scheduled to be completed before 2023. The vehicle will be served as a fire support vehicle in the Taiwanese armed forces.
