NCSIST's M60A3 Tank Performance Upgrade Frontal Photo Revealed, Enhancing Strike Power
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has updated its website with photos and descriptions of its developed military products, including the upgraded M60A3 tank. The enhancements focus on digital fire control, electric turret control, and high-resolution optics to boost accuracy and engagement speed.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 12:58
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 14:00 (1h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 09:45 (235h 45m after Collected)
The M60A3 tank, which entered service with the Republic of China Armed Forces in the 1990s, has long been the main battle tank for armored units. With increasing service years, challenges such as chassis aging and difficult maintenance have emerged. The military has planned systematic upgrade projects in recent years to consolidate the combat power of armored units. The engine power system upgrade has been ongoing from 2023 to 2028, involving the replacement of engines for a total of 460 M60A3 tanks to enhance overall mobility. The upgrade of the turret fire control system is being developed by NCSIST, with the system upgrade plan not yet fully finalized.
NCSIST updated its official website yesterday, including photos and introductions of various military equipment products it has developed.
Regarding the introduction of performance upgrades for the M60A3 tank turret, NCSIST stated that based on the Army's requirements for M60A3 tank performance, it has developed digital fire control, all-electric turret control, and high-resolution observation and aiming systems to replace the old assemblies. This aims to improve shooting accuracy, shorten engagement times, and resolve issues like diminishing supply sources, thereby enhancing the strike power of the M60A3 tank to meet the concept of 'beachhead victory' and operational needs. A full vehicle photo, after performance enhancement and with the addition of welded armor, has been released.
NCSIST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with American company Leonardo DRS during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition last year. The MOU covers the sale of upgrade kits for the M60A3 tank's 'fire control, turret control, and observation/aiming systems,' with the goal of NCSIST's modular mass production and integrated manufacturing, and DRS's brand sales. After the turret upgrade, the main gun caliber will still be 105mm.
Informed sources told CNA reporters that many countries still use M60 tanks worldwide. American company Leonardo DRS observed NCSIST's M60A3 tank turret performance upgrade products and believes they have competitive value in the international market. Thus, they signed an MOU last year for the US company to act as an agent for sales. Currently, specific countries are paying high attention and intend to place orders. With NCSIST's production capacity, it can simultaneously meet the needs of foreign clients and the Army's future M60A3 turret upgrade requirements.
Regarding the ROC Armed Forces' upgrade of M60A3 tanks, Shu Hsiu-huang, an associate researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, believes the challenge for the M60A3 tank upgrade is whether it can effectively achieve combat benefits in response to future defense threats. He noted that major countries worldwide are improving or developing next-generation ground forces based on the experiences of the Russia-Ukraine war. NCSIST's partner, Leonardo DRS, excels in integrating drone applications and counter-technology. If the M60A3 turret upgrade can incorporate future combat capabilities, it would be more attractive to the Army. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150410
NCSIST updated its official website yesterday, including photos and introductions of various military equipment products it has developed.
Regarding the introduction of performance upgrades for the M60A3 tank turret, NCSIST stated that based on the Army's requirements for M60A3 tank performance, it has developed digital fire control, all-electric turret control, and high-resolution observation and aiming systems to replace the old assemblies. This aims to improve shooting accuracy, shorten engagement times, and resolve issues like diminishing supply sources, thereby enhancing the strike power of the M60A3 tank to meet the concept of 'beachhead victory' and operational needs. A full vehicle photo, after performance enhancement and with the addition of welded armor, has been released.
NCSIST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with American company Leonardo DRS during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition last year. The MOU covers the sale of upgrade kits for the M60A3 tank's 'fire control, turret control, and observation/aiming systems,' with the goal of NCSIST's modular mass production and integrated manufacturing, and DRS's brand sales. After the turret upgrade, the main gun caliber will still be 105mm.
Informed sources told CNA reporters that many countries still use M60 tanks worldwide. American company Leonardo DRS observed NCSIST's M60A3 tank turret performance upgrade products and believes they have competitive value in the international market. Thus, they signed an MOU last year for the US company to act as an agent for sales. Currently, specific countries are paying high attention and intend to place orders. With NCSIST's production capacity, it can simultaneously meet the needs of foreign clients and the Army's future M60A3 turret upgrade requirements.
Regarding the ROC Armed Forces' upgrade of M60A3 tanks, Shu Hsiu-huang, an associate researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, believes the challenge for the M60A3 tank upgrade is whether it can effectively achieve combat benefits in response to future defense threats. He noted that major countries worldwide are improving or developing next-generation ground forces based on the experiences of the Russia-Ukraine war. NCSIST's partner, Leonardo DRS, excels in integrating drone applications and counter-technology. If the M60A3 turret upgrade can incorporate future combat capabilities, it would be more attractive to the Army. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150410