TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense Armaments Bureau is investing over NT$950 million (US$29.52 million) in the "Hsuan Chia Project" to develop composite armor and an active protection system for military armored vehicles by the end of this year. 

Testing for the new composite armor has already met combat requirements. It can withstand barrages from large-caliber machine guns, Liberty Times reported. 

The armor can be fitted onto domestically-produced Clouded Leopard infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and M60A3 Patton tanks. Its lightweight nature and high protectability allow it to be added to armored vehicles without compromising speed or mobility. 

The new technology will be publicly displayed for the first time at the Taiwan Innotech Expo on Thursday (Oct. 17). The active protection system will be unveiled at a later date. 

The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is developing a third prototype of an IFV based on the Clouded Leopard. It is expected to be completed by the end of June next year. The military has allocated NT$170 million for an improved turret, designed by NCSIST, and NT$120 million for the vehicle body, which the Armament Bureau will handle.

Taiwan is also extending the service life of its fleet of M60A3 Patton tanks. In 2022, the Army allocated NT$444.01 million to enhance the tanks’ fire control, targeting, and sighting systems.

A budget of NT$7.25 billion was set aside in 2023 to procure new AVDS-1790-8CR engines for the aging tanks. Engine replacement is expected to be completed by 2028. In June, the Army signed a contract with the Armaments Bureau’s 202nd Plant to secure new 105mm cannon barrels for the tanks.