New insight into Taiwan’s latest 105mm D3 Cheetah IFV for fire support and anti-tank missions.

On August 14, 2025, Taiwan’s Armaments Bureau, during the Ministry of National Defense’s online program “Defense Online,” revealed the most recent version of its 105mm wheeled combat vehicle, designated the D3 prototype. This development is part of the broader national program known as “Project Cheetah,” aimed at strengthening the strategic autonomy and rapid reaction capability of Taiwan’s armed forces.
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The D3 version, 40 cm shorter and with a better ammunition capacity, is Taiwan’s latest 105 mm wheeled combat vehicule prototype featuring a lowered profile, enhanced blast protection, and expanded ammo capacity, tailored for rapid deployment in urban and coastal defense against amphibious threats (Picture source: Taiwanese MoD).

Launched in 2019, the project produced the first two prototypes, D1 and D2, developed through cooperation between the Armaments Bureau, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), as well as Factory 202 (systems integration and munitions), Factory 209 (chassis), and the Military Academy of Sciences. The prototyping phase achieved a high level of domestic integration, with approximately 89 percent of components manufactured locally.

The D2, introduced in June 2024, was based on a new 8×8 chassis derived from the Clouded Leopard family (CM-32/33/34) and equipped with an improved hydropneumatic suspension for better handling and maneuverability. It featured a manned turret armed with a 105mm rifled gun capable of using ammunition common to the M60A3 and CM-11 tanks, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS). The RCWS also served as the commander’s sight, providing a “hunter-killer” engagement capability. Validated performance of the D2 included penetration of 500mm of armor at 2,000 meters with APFSDS rounds fired on the move, an estimated barrel life of 800 to 1,000 rounds, successful trials on challenging terrain, as well as smoke grenade launchers and an improved electro-optical vision system for all-weather operations.

The D3 introduces several notable changes compared to its predecessor. Vehicle height has been reduced to under 3 meters from the previous 3.3 meters, suspension and overall balance have been revised, and the turret appears to have been repositioned further to the rear to improve weight distribution and overall chassis balance. The platform, now a second-generation Clouded Leopard M2, replaces the earlier version and addresses prior stability issues. The redesigned turret also benefits from optimized armor layout, while new side mirrors improve crew situational awareness.

In line with program objectives, the D3 retains a low-recoil 105mm rifled gun paired with an electric servo drive system to provide accurate fire. A top speed exceeding 100 km/h combined with an extended range of 500 kilometers allows for rapid deployment across the island without refueling, a key factor for interregional reinforcement missions.

The Armaments Bureau plans to display the D3 prototype to the public at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition next month. The event will provide an opportunity to assess both the technical progress made and the vehicle’s ability to meet the operational requirements of a modernizing army facing an increasingly complex security environment.

From a tactical and operational standpoint, the Cheetah D3 is designed to fulfill a key role within Taiwan’s asymmetric and layered defense doctrine against potential aggression from the People’s Republic of China. Unlike heavy main battle tanks, which are difficult to deploy and conceal in Taiwan’s dense urban and rugged environments, the wheeled D3 provides high mobility, quick redeployment and rapid reaction capability. It is ideally suited for shoot-and-scoot tactics, hit-and-run ambushes, and providing mobile direct fire support to infantry and mechanized formations. Its compact profile enhances survivability in contested environments while its upgraded firepower allows it to engage a range of targets, including landing forces, light armored vehicles and fortified positions. Deployed in decentralized, dispersed formations, D3 units could serve as mobile fire brigades capable of reinforcing threatened sectors, especially in coastal defense scenarios where rapid response to amphibious incursions is critical. This vehicle reflects Taiwan’s intent to leverage the tactical advantages of wheeled armored systems, including faster redeployment, lower operating costs compared to tracked vehicles, and the ability to operate effectively across varied terrain. However, despite these updates, Taiwan’s army has raised concerns over the firepower of the 105mm gun, suggesting a shift to 120mm would be required to meet current lethality standards against regional threats.

The unveiling of the D3 version comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Taiwan Strait. The People's Republic of China has intensified its military pressure on Taiwan through regular air and naval incursions, large-scale amphibious exercises, and increasingly assertive political rhetoric. Beijing continues to reject Taiwan’s sovereignty and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. In response, Taiwan has accelerated its defense modernization efforts, placing strong emphasis on indigenous development and asymmetric capabilities. The D3 prototype reflects this strategy, offering a locally produced, mobile and cost-effective armored platform tailored to counter China’s growing amphibious and airborne threat. As Taiwan works to bolster its deterrence posture with agile and resilient ground forces, platforms like the Cheetah D3 are poised to play a vital role in ensuring operational readiness and national resilience.