Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has unveiled upgraded versions of its domestically-built T112 assault rifles and bullet-resistant panels.
During a media event in Kaohsiung on Wednesday, the MND showcased the enhanced T112, which now boasts an extended range of 600 meters (1,968 feet), up from 400 meters (1,312 feet).
The barrel’s lifespan has also been increased to 10,000 rounds, compared to 6,000 in the previous version.
To align with US combat standards, the weapon’s “three-round burst” mode has been changed to “two-round burst.”
Other improvements include upgrades to the trigger, grip, and shell ejection deflector.
Last month, the MND announced plans to procure over 80,000 T112 assault rifles, which will be distributed in stages starting next year.
Ballistic Shields
In addition to the T112 rifles, Taiwan has upgraded its bulletproof plating to meet the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert specifications used by the US armed forces.
The protective area of the upgraded panels has been expanded to 25 centimeters, providing more coverage over a larger portion of the body.
The weight has also been reduced to 1.9 kilograms (4.2 pounds), down from the 2.2 kilograms (4.8 pounds) in the earlier model.
The most significant improvement to the ballistic shields is their ability to withstand 7.62mm bullets.
The MND’s Armaments Bureau conducted simulations to ensure the plating can also protect against 5.8mm bullets, which are typically used by China’s People’s Liberation Army.
The Taiwanese military is expected to receive 60,000 bullet-resistant panels, with the first batch arriving next year.
