:roll: Well from wat I see Taiwan needs to either upgrade the existing M60 MBT to the Sabra2 equivalent, or some form of MBT hanging around the weight of 40-50 tons.
I personally think Taiwan does not need huge numbers of MBTs. Instead it should invest on a serious, credible IFV tacked platform. Firstly, no doubt wheels give slightly higher on the road mobility, but consider damaged roads or out-field type of roads, the tracks are more advantaged. Another thing is tracked vehicles have a lower profile than wheel types, thus less chances of bcoming easy meat of anti-tank rifle infantry.
Furthermore, bcos most of the tanks moving a shore is mainly type63A amphibious light tanks of PT-76 origins. A chain cannon of 30mm will probabily do the trick. Plus some other variants carrying perhaps ATGM, u get a quite comprehensive AT defense. Furthermore, IFV are smaller and cheaper per unit cost, thus they are more nimble in urban and jungle terrain.
From wat I noe, Taiwan is some wat like a sub tropics type of terrain, dense vegetation, high rainfall during monsoon season. Plus lots of mountains. The forested terrains are some wad like Singapore. Thus it would not be wise to buy a too heavy MBT like the Leo or Abrams, as they might get bogged down by muddy, thick foilages. Instead, I advocate they should get something around 30 tonnes, with a 120mm gun like the thunderbolt demonstrator, to achieve good mobility and fire power. Unlike some critics on previous post, claiming the M41D has no use in future battles, thats where they bcome usefully, as infantry fire support vehicles, when they advance Just like here, where the main armoured element is actually the Veri VERI OLD AMX13-SM1 light tanks!!
