Type 65 Light Tank

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Hello everyone, today I’d like to introduce the Taiwan-made M41A3 tank, with only two prototype vehicles ever produced, known as the Type 65 Light Tank.
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Historical Background

In the 1970s, with the easing of Sino-US relations, the Taiwan authorities grew concerned about the potential cessation of US aid. To reduce this dependency, the 10th Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Logistics Command, General Luo Youlun, believed that self-reliant national defense required indigenous production capabilities. This led to the third attempt to manufacture a light tank domestically. However, there was opposition within the Taiwan authorities at the time; many believed there was no need to produce heavy weaponry and that the policy of “buying artillery and manufacturing shells” should suffice. The Ministry of National Defense did not support the initiative, and the US Military Advisory Group also did not cooperate. The tank development plan never received formal, comprehensive approval from higher authorities. Nevertheless, Luo Youlun persevered. He established the “Tank Research and Development Center,” designated the Taiwan Combined Logistics Command’s Military Vehicle Plant (later Plant 201) as the lead agency for tank replication, and mobilized civilian industrial capacity by integrating private industry into the manufacturing of tank components.

In 1976, the project, led by the Military Vehicle Plant (Plant 201) of the Combined Logistics Headquarters, began to reverse-engineer and replicate the US M41 light tank. The plan centered on the Military Vehicle Plant as the final assembly hub, responsible for distributing blueprints and specifications for components, allocating tasks, supervising progress, controlling quality, providing technical guidance to factories, and testing outsourced parts. Specifically for tank manufacturing, the Military Vehicle Plant handled final vehicle assembly and testing, while various private factories incorporated into the military vehicle system supplied the components. Eventually, by integrating dozens of private factories, the trial production and supply of parts were completed. Key participants included: China Shipbuilding Corporation (responsible for hull/turret casting), Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation (responsible for the running gear), Tang Eng Iron Works (collaborating with the Military Vehicle Plant on the mechanical processing of tank hulls and turrets), and Ta Feng/Chung Tai (responsible for tracks and rubber pads). On August 10, 1976, the Military Vehicle Plant successfully trial-produced the first prototype, which underwent driving and firing tests at the Hukou Armor Proving Ground with satisfactory results. Only two prototypes were built. The following year, Luo Youlun stepped down from his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Logistics Command, and the tank project subsequently quietly faded away.

Technical Specifications

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(Based on the replicated M41A3 prototype and modifications)

  • Combat Weight: Approximately 25 tons

  • Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

  • Dimensions:

    • Length: 8.23 meters (including gun barrel)
    • Width: 3.2 meters (including side skirts)
    • Height: 2.74 meters (to turret top)

  • Armor: Identical to the M41, but with additional armor plates attached to both sides of the turret. The hull is constructed from welded high-strength alloy steel plates, with side skirts added to both flanks.

Armament:

  • Main Gun: 76mm M32A1 tank gun (replicated version, featuring a muzzle brake different from the original M41)
  • Ammunition: APCBC, M352 HEAT, M339 HE, M331A2 AP. Ammunition Capacity: 57 rounds.
  • Secondary Weapons: 1 × 7.62mm coaxial machine gun + 1 × 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun on the turret roof.

Mobility:

  • Engine: Initially a gasoline engine (same as the M41), with one prototype later refitted with an 8V-71T diesel engine (530 horsepower).
  • Maximum Speed: Approximately 70 km/h (on road)
  • Operational Range: Approximately 160 km
  • Observation and Fire Control: Largely retained the original M41 configuration.

Pictures

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Sources

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ROCA c50 light tanks converted 1975-81.
Taiwanese M41 Variants
[Historical records of the Combined Logistics Command: The Story of the Combined Logistics (published 2001)](https://Historical records of the Combined Logistics Command: The Story of the Combined Logistics (published 2001))
[Memoirs of Luo Youlun: Oral History of Mr. Luo Youlun (published 1994)](https://Memoirs of Luo Youlun: Oral History of Mr. Luo Youlun (published 1994))
[Archives of Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation (contract documents from 1976–1978)](https://Archives of Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corporation (contract documents from 1976–1978))
[Military magazine: China Combined Logistics Monthly (October 1976 issue, featuring photos of the prototype vehicle)](https://Military magazine: China Combined Logistics Monthly (October 1976 issue, featuring photos of the prototype vehicle))
[Online research articles (early research columns on Chinese tanks and armored vehicles)](https://Online research articles (early research columns on Chinese tanks and armored vehicles))

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