Cloud Leopard Armored Vehicle Protective Fences Effectively Block Drones; Chung Shu-ming Warns of 'Top Attacks'

Taiwan's military is enhancing the survivability of its ground forces by equipping CM34 Cloud Leopard armored vehicles with newly developed protective fences designed to counter the growing threat of drones. This initiative addresses the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles as a significant combat tool, a trend highlighted by their impact in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.

Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chung Shu-ming, recently inspected the Armaments Bureau's Production and Manufacturing Center, emphasizing the critical need for robust anti-drone capabilities. He noted that the developed fences are effective in intercepting small drones, thereby lowering the probability of successful attacks on armored vehicles. These fences can be integrated with existing vehicle systems without requiring substantial modifications to the original chassis, demonstrating an effort to improve protection against emerging battlefield threats.

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The developed protective fences for various eight-wheeled armored vehicles by the production and manufacturing center have the capability to intercept small drone attacks, reducing the risk of armored vehicles being directly hit.

The focus on protecting the top armor of vehicles stems from observations in recent conflicts, where commercial and first-person view (FPV) drones have targeted these weaker points. In response, various nations have begun retrofitting their tanks and armored vehicles with metal grids, steel frames, or protective nets. Taiwan's development aligns with this global trend, aiming to mitigate attack effectiveness through physical barriers.

Chung stressed the importance of continuous adaptation, urging the Armaments Bureau to gather operational experiences and troop requirements from global conflicts. The goal is to refine the optimal drone protection configurations for armored vehicles. This development must be balanced with maintaining vehicle mobility and combat effectiveness, ensuring that added protection does not hinder operational deployment and ultimately strengthens the overall battlefield survivability of the Taiwanese military.

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Modern drones mostly adopt a 'top attack' method to strike targets, so the production and manufacturing center should continue to collect combat experiences and actual troop needs from various countries to review the most suitable drone protection types for armored vehicles.