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| CM-12 tank | |
|---|---|
 A CM-12 at the ROCA Infantry School | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | Taiwan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990–2025 |
| Used by | Republic of China Army (historical) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Armored Vehicle Development Center |
| Manufacturer | Armored Vehicle Development Center |
| Unit cost | US$ 3.5 million |
| No. built | 100 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 48.5tonnes (53.5short tons; 47.7long tons) |
| Length | 6.95 meters (22 ft 10 in) (hull) 9.30 meters (30 ft 6 in) (cannon forward) |
| Width | 3.65 meters (12 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 3.1 meters (10 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
Main armament | 105 mm (4.1 in)M68A1 gun |
Secondary armament | .50 BMG (12.7×99mm)M2 Browning 7.62×51mm NATOM240 machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO T74 machine gun |
| Engine | ContinentalAVDS-1790-2Cair-cooledTwin-turbodiesel engine 750 hp (560 kW) |
| Power/weight | 15.46 hp/t |
| Suspension | Torsion bar suspension |
Operational range | 203 kilometers (100 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 48 km/h |
TheCM-12 tank is a modifiedM48A3 made for theRepublic of China Army, situated onTaiwan. The Armored Vehicle Development Center (AVDC) used the extra 100fire-control system units from the production of theCM-11 Brave Tiger to modify the existing M48A3 tanks of the ROC Army. The modification was completed as of 1993.[1] The CM-12 can be distinguished from the CM-11 by the rounded glacis plates, and from the M48A3 by the105mm M68A1 cannon, which is longer than the90mm T139/M3A1 cannon on the M48A3 and lacks amuzzle brake, and by the different commander's cupola.
On May 24, 2025, authorities announced that the CM-12 would be decommissioned in 2026, and the entire fleet was sent to a military logistics center for dismantling.[2]
The CM-12 program selected some M48A3 hulls and replaced the petrol engines withdiesel engines, installed a newtransmission, replaced the tracks, and replaced the turret with the CM-11's turret. The modified tank was renamed CM-12.[3]
During the Brave Tiger (CM-11) upgrade program, AVDC received an M48A5 for reference. The idea of the CM-12 was derived from the M48A5. The exterior of CM-12 and M48A5 are similar, but the interior is completely different; the main difference being that replacing the original engine and turret of the M48A3 cost interior fuel capacity, decreasing its range. The CM-12 also has an upgraded fire-control system due to it using the same turret as the CM-11. The M48A5 has no upgraded fire-control system.
The armament of CM-12 is identical to CM-11's. The main cannon is anM68A1 105mm cannon, which can fire ammunition such asarmour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS) Rounds. It can carry up to 60 rounds on board. OneM2HB machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola, one T74 machine gun on the gunner's cupola, and one coaxialM240 machine gun inside the turret.[4]
The protection on CM-12 is outdated, being unable to stop shells fired from the 125mm smoothbore cannon mounted on tanks used by theChinese People's Liberation Army such as theType 96, and the material used is inferior to that used on newer tanks, being made of cast steel instead of more modern composite materials. After the great disarmament of Ching Shih (精實案) and Ching Chin (精進案), the existing CM-11 and M60A3 TTS tanks are enough for the ROCA, and almost half of the CM-12s are now retired.
Media related toCM-12 at Wikimedia Commons
