Taiwan is moving forward with a plan to acquire 48,000 boron carbide ceramic plates for its armed forces. Intended for use in protective gear, the plates are designed to withstand 7.62-millimeter anti-armor rounds and shrapnel. Government approval has been given for production between 2028 and 2029, with the Taipei Times confirming the report.
The defense budget will set aside approximately 840 million New Taiwan dollars ($28.2 million) for the project. A trial purchase of 30 plates has already been made for 1.3 million New Taiwan dollars ($46,900). While no official specifications have been released, their boron carbide makeup suggests they will offer NIJ Level IV protection against armor-piercing threats, improving upon the existing NIJ Level III armor in service.
Boron carbide is among the hardest synthetic substances available, surpassed only by diamond and cubic boron nitride, and is valued for its exceptional protective qualities. These new plates are expected to supplement the Republic of China Armed Forces’ current protective suits, enhancing defense capabilities in high-threat environments.
Additionally, Taiwan is advancing another armor program involving plates with three ceramic layers and polyethylene fiber reinforcement. This initiative builds on a February deal worth 1.6 billion New Taiwan dollars ($53.7 million) to supply 160,000 plates based on the US military’s Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert design. Deliveries of 60,000 units are anticipated by the end of 2025 to protect against both Chinese 5.8-millimeter steel-core rounds and standard 7.62-millimeter bullets.
