Taiwan showed off the production version of its homegrown 105mm wheeled tank, a boost for the island's defense industry and a sign it is racing to counter drone threats.

• Live-fire tests in Tainan put the main gun, a remote-controlled heavy machine gun turret, and a coaxial machine gun through their paces.
• The army plans to buy 178 of the vehicles over six years for roughly NT$57 billion, starting with 8 units next year.
• Production models will get anti-drone netting, and the gun turret can be swapped for a 30mm chain gun that shoots drones down.
• The gun, barrel and recoil system are all built in Taiwan, and the turret has the same hunter-killer targeting mode as the M1A2T tank.
• The new chassis has more power, tighter turning, and is shared with future 30mm and 40mm versions to simplify repairs.

Outlook: First deliveries begin next year, with drone defense built in from the start.