The military's logistics command yesterday showcased some of its newest products, including a multi-function gas mask, at a military exhibition in Taipei.
Officials said the new gas mask, called Type-91, is more user-friendly and has more functions that the older model, in use for 17 years. It is slated to enter production next year.
The Type-91 gas mask features larger lenses, a speaker system and a new water supply system.
The speaker system of the mask, for instance, allows the wearer to speak in a normal tone of voice.
The exhibition was organized by a group of publishing companies specializing in military books and was the first of its kind in the nation's history. The logistics command of the military and the state-run Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) were the only participating government agencies.
Besides the new gas mask, the Type-86 rifle, which is soon to have an improved version called the Type-91, was also on display.
The Type-86 rifle, successfully developed in 1997, is best-performing infantry rifle ever developed by the logistics command, featuring a state-of-the-art infrared-aiming system.
Despite its capability, however, the logistics command has yet to receive any orders for the rifle from the armed services. The military police, however, have decided to replace all of its Type-65K2 rifles the Type-86, an official with the command said.
"The military police are the first to decide to buy the Type-86. Over 10,000 of the new rifles are to be manufactured for them. It is a good news for us," the official said.
"The marine corps is expected to follow suit. ... And the army has also shown an interest. But they want the rifle to be upgraded to meet their operation requirements.
This is why we have the Type-91, which is actually a Type-86 with a partial upgrade," he said.
The Type-86 upgrade project has yet to be completed, but the logistics command was eager to share the news that it is likely to receive orders from the army for the Type-91.
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