Taiwan Army Halts Leopard Tank Project Over Firepower Concerns

Taiwan’s homegrown ambition to develop a modern wheeled armored vehicle has faced a major setback. The Army has officially rejected the third prototype of the Leopard wheeled tank, effectively putting a stop to the island’s “Clouded Leopard Project” in its current form. The reason? Inadequate firepower.

Why the Project Was Halted

The Leopard prototype was equipped with a 105mm cannon, but the Army concluded that this caliber simply doesn't meet modern battlefield needs. Despite the vehicle’s impressive mobility and ease of rapid deployment, the firepower it brings to the fight was deemed insufficient—especially when compared to the Army’s current and incoming armored assets, like the U.S.-made M1A2T Abrams and the upgraded M60A3 tanks.

The Army stated clearly: “If the Leopard’s cannon is not upgraded to 120mm, we cannot accept this vehicle for deployment.” This firm stance effectively ends the project unless major changes are made.

Background of the Leopard Project

The Leopard wheeled tank project began in 2019 under Taiwan’s Armaments Bureau. Three prototypes were planned:

• D1 and D2: Early versions that revealed design flaws.

• D3: A redesigned prototype aimed at addressing earlier concerns. It featured a lower profile (height reduced by 30 cm) and improved internal ergonomics for easier crew movement and reloading.

Development of the D3 was carried out jointly with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, but it never received formal approval from the institute’s board. The project only moved forward after intervention from then-Vice Minister of Armaments Hsu Yen-pu. Interestingly, his retirement in early 2025 coincided with the arrival of Taiwan’s first batch of M1A2T tanks—possibly influencing the Army's final decision.

The Financial and Strategic Fallout

The Armaments Bureau invested over NT$778 million (around $24 million) into the Leopard Project. Officials are reportedly frustrated with the Army’s rejection, claiming the prototype met the exact requirements originally laid out—particularly the internal dimensions meant for ease of use by soldiers of average height.

To many within the Bureau, the rejection seems like a shift in goalposts rather than a technical failure. A past audit in 2021 had already highlighted concerns, pointing out that the Army always preferred 120mm cannons. That report also criticized the Ministry of National Defense for approving the project without a clear long-term vision for its combat utility.

What Happens Now?

With no official orders expected, the D1 and D2 prototypes will likely remain as experimental platforms. Unless the Bureau manages to develop a new version with a 120mm cannon, the wheeled Leopard is unlikely to enter service.

This decision leaves Taiwan’s military modernization plans at a crossroads—balancing between developing domestic defense systems and relying on foreign military imports.