Taiwan’s domestically built wheeled tank enters production, with 178 planned by 2033

Taiwan’s first domestically developed 105 mm wheeled tank, the Leopard, is set to enter mass production next year after a long and uncertain development process. The Army plans to buy 178 vehicles over seven years, according to the 2027 public defense budget submitted to the Legislative Yuan.

The planned procurement totals NT$57.071569 billion and will run from 2027 through 2033. The Army expects to receive eight tanks in the first year, followed by 14, 28, 36, 36, 36 and 20 vehicles in subsequent years.

The Army Command said the tank combines high mobility, strong firepower, digital fire-control systems and protection meeting or exceeding standards for protection against armor penetration. It is intended to improve mobile strike and rapid-response capabilities in the terrain of Taiwan’s offshore islands and eastern regions.

The M41D light tanks previously stationed with the Kinmen garrison retired in the middle of this year. M60A3 tanks have temporarily taken over their duties. Although the M60A3 carries a more powerful 105 mm gun than the M41D’s 76 mm gun, it is heavier, larger and less mobile. The future plan calls for M60A3s and Leopard wheeled tanks to operate together in the offshore islands.

The Leopard passed the Army’s service evaluation in June 2025. Its final version stands 2.9 meters high, carries a 105 mm rifled gun with 33 rounds, and includes 7.62 mm coaxial and 12.7 mm remote-controlled machine guns. It also has a hunter-killer system at the same level as the M1A2T tank. The vehicle can exceed 100 kilometers per hour and has a range of 500 kilometers, allowing rapid movement and reinforcement across Taiwan.