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 features an extended range of 600 meters (1,968 feet), up from 400 meters (1,312 feet).
Its barrel’s lifespan has also been increased to 10,000 rounds from 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 enhancements 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 also upgraded its bulletproof plating in accordance with the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert specifications used by the US armed forces.
The protective area of the upgraded version has been extended to 25 centimeters by 30 centimeters, providing 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.
But the most significant improvement to the ballistic shields is the ability to withstand 7.62mm bullets.
The MND’s Armaments Bureau conducted a simulation to ensure the plating can also protect against 5.8mm bullets 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.
