CM34 TIFV

jackdiedtoday · March 26, 2025, 1:36am

Would you like to see the CM34 TIFV in game?

Yes
No

0 voters

INTRODUCTION

I’d like to suggest the CM34 “Clouded Leopard” IFV for the Chinese Tech Tree, an indigenous fighting vehicle made by Taiwan. This would give the Chinese Ground TT a gun-only IFV, which is a department where it lacks.

HISTORY

Origins of the CM34 can be traced back to a Timoney design from the 70s, where they would develop the Timoney Mark 8, a prototype that would never get past the prototype phase due to the lack of intrest by an nations at the time.

Timoney Mark 8 during testing.

Meanwhile, Taiwan was searching for a replacement for it’s dated fleet of US-supplied M113 Armored Personnel carriers. In the late 80s, Taiwan’s Ordnance Readiness Development Center (ORDC) would collaborate with Timoney to develop Taiwan’s first indigenous AFV. The design was based on that of the Mark 8, adjusted to meet Taiwan’s requirements. The CM31 would make it’s public debut in 1997 at the Taipei Aerospace & Technology Exhibition.

CM31 at the Taipei Aerospace & Technology Exhibition in 1997.

The CM31 would never enter mass production however as it was outdated before it even entered service, so into the 2000s, an effort would be made to modernize the already existing CM31 design in what would eventually become the CM32 with the production starting in 2007. The CM32 was armed with a 40mm grenade launcher and a 7.62mm machine gun, both with remote operating systems. In the 2010s, development of the CM34 began in hopes to improve performance against armoured targets. The CM34 was tested with the LAV-25’s turret at first, but concerns with cost lead it to being next armed with a T75 Revolver cannon (armed with APDS rounds that were originally supposed to be used with Taiwan’s fleet of Phalanx-CIWS, fun fact!), however concerns about barrel life and lack of armour penetration lead to the 30mm Bushmaster II Mk.44 cannon to be chosen as the main armament. This variant was first spotted in 2015 and officially unveiled to the public in 2017. It would enter service in 2019.

CM32 prototype armed with a 40mm grenade launcher and a 7.62mm machine gun.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mobility
Engine: Caterpillar C12 Diesel with 450hp
Maximum Speed: 120 km/h
Weight: 24 Tonnes
Amphibious: Yes
Wheels: 8x8

Caterpillar C12 used on the CM34.

Dimensions
Length: 7.5m
Width: 2.7m
Height: 3.2m

Armament
1x Mk44 Bushmaster II 30mm Autocannon
Turret is remote-operated from the hull.
Ammunition:
AB51 APFSDS (Taiwanese designation for MK258 APFSDS)
AB44 HEI-T (Taiwanese designation for MK266 HEI-T)
420 rounds are carried inside the vehicle.
(Both of these rounds can be found on the VBCI-2 (MTC30) in the French Ground TT.)

2x Type 74V 7.62mm Machine Guns (license-produced FN MAG)
1 is coaxial, the other is roof mounted and controlled by the commander.

12x Type 85 66mm Smoke mortars (deploys 2 at a time, so 6 pops)

Sights: 3rd Generation Thermal Imaging
CITV: Yes
Commander Weapon Control: Yes
Driver Thermals: Yes
Stabilization: Dual-Axis

CM34 Gunner’s Optic view. If you can make something of this, unlike me, do respond below please.

Turret of a CM34 with the armaments absent.

Survivability
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
A commander weapon control system is present.
12.7mm AP protection from 200 meters all around. Turret armour remains classified as far as far as I can tell (if you do find something, do let me know!)
LWS: Yes