• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

CM12 / M48A3

The CM12 tank is a model based on the old M48A3 tank has been modified. It is also listed as the army's main tank unit along with the CM11 and M60A3(TTS) tanks. The Armored Vehicle Development Center (AVDC) used the extra 100 fire-control system units from the production of the CM11 Brave Tiger to modify the existing M48A3 tanks of the ROC Army. The CM12 can be distinguished from the CM11 by the rounded glacis plates, and from the M48A3 by the 105mm M68A1 cannon, which is longer than the 90mm T139/M3A1 cannon on the M48A3 and lacks a muzzle brake, and by the different commander's cupola.

The CM12 is the CM11 turret combined with the modified M48A3 chassis, and it is undoubtedly a derivative model of the M48 family. The CM11 is the M60A3 chassis combined with the M48 turret and a new fire control and gun control system. Strictly speaking, it is not a M48 derivative, but has a higher technical relevance to the M60.

Taiwan began to receive M48A1 tanks in 1973, with a total of about 300 vehicles. These tanks were upgraded to the M48A3 specification in 1981, mainly using the more fuel-efficient AVDS-1790-DM diesel engine, which increased the tank's continued mileage. Since 1984, the War Development Center has developed a new tank based on the M48, which is the M48H Brave Tiger, or the current CM11. When the CM11 was developed that year, a total of 550 fire control kits were purchased, but only 450 CM11 were produced, and the remaining 100 fire control kits were used to modify the existing M48A3 to become a CM12 tank. Therefore, some publications classify the CM12 as a derivative of the M48A5, which is actually completely wrong.

Because the CM12 uses the M48A3 chassis, it retains the ship-shaped front of the M48 family, and the engine room structure is different from that of the M60A3 tank. This makes the CM12 engine room top and rear structure different from those of the CM11. These are all distinguished. Important characteristics of both. CM12 is equipped with AVDS-1790-2DM diesel engine and a domestically produced gearbox designed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute. Part of the fuel tank of M48A3 is removed due to the modification of the power package, which greatly reduces the mobility of CM12. There are more than two hundred kilometers left. In addition, the crawler used by CM12 is also changed to T142 crawler with lower ground pressure.

The turret, armament, fire control system, gun control system and sighting system of the CM12 are the same as those of the full CM11, including the M68 type 105mm rifled gun, two-dimensional body stabilizer, digital ballistic computer, and laser ranging Cameras, thermal imaging cameras, etc., are all brand-new American products, and theoretically have the same level of shooting ability and night combat ability as CM11. However, some of the internal design defects of the CM11 turret also occurred on the CM12. This is mainly due to the fact that the M48’s turret capacity is smaller than the M60A3, but it has to accommodate the main gun and fire control system of the same level as the latter, which may easily cause poor heat dissipation and failure of electronic equipment.

Looking at the CM12 tank as a whole, the modification modes and equipment are different from those of the M48A5. It is a special member of the M48 family, and its fire control system is much better than that of the M48A5. The protection design of the CM12 is at the same level as that of the M48A5, without any reinforcement. The protection performance is the weaker part of the CM12, making the CM12 a unique domestic M48 series tank. The CM12 is currently considered older equipment in the army. It is mainly equipped with the 298 infantry brigades in Pingtung Wanjin, and all armored brigades use CM11 and M60A3 combat vehicles.

Taiwan has a large number of tanks of various types, but faced with difficulties such as old tanks and insufficient recruitment of officers and soldiers in the tank unit, the military has decided to expand its storage operations for tanks in poor conditions. Military officials pointed out that the Army originally had about 100 CM12 tanks, a small part of which has been chemically sealed, but it has been reported from within the military that after the Lunar New Year, the number of chemical seals will increase, and only a small part will be retained to serve as a training task.

Officials said that before the 2018 Chinese New Year, relevant units of the Army had initiated an inquiry mechanism for the chemical storage of CM12 tanks, and hoped that they could formally invite bids after the Chinese New Year. It was rumored within the military that these 100 CM12 tanks would be "all sealed up" and the mission would be replaced by other armored vehicles. However, the Army Command stated 21 February 2018 that in order to ensure proper mobilization and equipment, "some" CM12 tanks must be sealed up to save maintenance manpower and maintain proper equipment. The Army Logistics Command will handle related operations in accordance with the government procurement law.

As for the chemical storage of tanks, will it be extended to CM11 and M60A3(TTS) main tanks due to insufficient recruitment? Military sources said that these two main combat vehicles are the main force of the Army’s ground defense, and there was no plan for chemical containment at present. When the military used the production of the CM11 tank, it purchased a hundred additional sets of equipment for the fire control system, and modified the M48A3 tank. The modification was completed before 1993. The number was 100. But because of the proper rate Not good, in addition to gradually withdrawing from the main role of the island’s defense, a small number were placed in storage mode to save maintenance costs.

Officials pointed out that the military will adopt a "flat seal and war start" model for high maintenance costs or important equipment that is not easy to obtain. The army called it "chemical storage." In the past, the Air Force used the "environmental control" mode to seal the main components of the phantom aircraft with a device similar to a space bag to prevent them from contacting the outside air to extend the life of the aircraft components.