- Yes
- No
Welcome to the suggestion for the CM12. This is essentially a modernized M48A3 fitted with a 105 mm gun, a modern Fire Control System, and access to a full suite of 105 mm ammunition. This would likely be placed before the CM11 in-game, and add to the ROC tank line.
History
ROCA M48A1s parading in the streets of Taipei, 1975.
In the late 1970s, the Republic of China had a growing fleet of M48s that were beginning to age. An attempt was made to upgrade them to M48A5 standard with the Wan Cheng 4 program, but this ultimately only produced one conversion, leaving 59 M48s with their original configuration. However, in 1980, the Republic of China Armoured Vehicle Development Center was formed in cooperation with the American General Dynamics company. This partnership would come up with the CM11, an M60A3 chassis with an M48 turret. While the M48 was originally in its 90 mm gun configuration, it would be modified with a 105 mm M68A1, low profile cupola, and M2HB on the new cupola, essentially making it an M48A5 turret. What wasn’t as similar to the M48A5 was the Fire Control System, giving the vehicle access to thermal imaging, laser rangefinder, dual-axis stabilization, and a digital ballistic computer. It was also given a Taiwanese produced version of the famous FN MAG, the T74, on the loader’s hatch.
By this time, the ROC had received more M48s, notably the M48A3. With the CM11 entering service, it was decided to upgrade these older M48s as well. This was done by using 100 extra Fire Control Systems from the CM11’s production, and doing what had been done with the CM11’s turret, by giving it an advance FCS, better gun, and lower profile cupola, but on the original M48A3 chassis. With this, the CM12 modification was completed around 1993, with only about 100 produced.
A CM12 at a ROCA Infantry School Open Day, 2012.
While the CM12 was roughly comparable to the CM11, but was produced in fewer numbers and had over 200 km less range, at only 203 km compared to the CM11’s 483. As the years passed, the CM12’s armor became increasingly inadequate, still being from a 1950s design and unable to stand up to modern HEAT projectiles, let alone APFSDS rounds from modern tanks. However, with disarmament policies in the 2000s, the ROC government felt the CM11, CM12, and M60A3 were enough, and thus, they soldiered on into the 2020s.
In 2025, it was announced by Minister of National Defense Koo Li-hsiung / Wellington Koo that the CM12 would be retired the following year, with the fleet being sent to a specialized facility to be dismantled. Meanwhile, the ROC Army would make way for a replacement, the M1A2 Abrams, with its Taiwanese variant being designated the M1A2T. On October 31st, 2025, President Lai Ching-te attended an induction ceremony for the M1A2T for its first service unit, the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion of the 584th Armored Brigade. So far, Taiwan has received 80 M1A2Ts out of an order of 108. As for the CM12, its ultimate fate is not known, with most of the 100 produced to be scrapped after decades of service.
A CM11 and M1A2T being handed over to the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion of the 584th Armored Brigade.
Specifications
Crew: 4
Weight: 48.5 t
Length: 9.3 m
Width: 3.64 m
Height: 3.26 m
Main armament: 105 mm M68A1
Secondary armament: 7.62 mm M240 (coaxial), 7.62 mm T74 (loader), 12.7 mm M2HB (commander)
Engine: 750 hp AVDS-1790-2C diesel engine
Maximum speed: 48 km/h
Maximum range: 203 km
Sources
- https://www.mnd.gov.tw/NewUpload/201703/2.林俊安-國軍現役主戰車構型研改規格規劃初探.pdf
- https://www.mnd.gov.tw/File/16229
- https://www.mnd.gov.tw/File/13058
- https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world//taiwan/cm12.htm
- TWN - CM12 : Ostatní - zatím nezařazeno
- Taiwan Army dismantles old tanks for parts | Taiwan News | May. 24, 2025 18:59
