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VT-4

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This article is about the main battle tank. For VT-4 Training Squadron 4, see VT-4 (United States). For other uses, see VT4 (disambiguation).
VT-4/MBT3000
File:VT-4 demonstration in Saraburi.jpg
VT-4 demonstration in Saraburi.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2017-present
Used bySee Operators below
Production history
DesignerNorinco
ManufacturerNorinco
Produced2014-present
Specifications
Mass52 tonnes
Length10.10 m
Width3.40 m
Height2.30 m
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)
ArmorUnknown
Main
armament
125 mm (4.9 in) smoothbore
Secondary
armament
1 x RWS12.7 mm (0.50 in) AA MG
1 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) coaxial MG
EngineTurbocharged diesel engine
1,300 hp (969 kW)
Power/weight25 hp/tonne
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed 70 km/h (43 mph)

The VT4 main battle tank (Chinese: VT-4主战坦克 ), also known as the MBT3000, is a Chinese third generation main battle tank built by Norinco for overseas export. It is an upgraded variant of the MBT2000 (VT-1) and the latest tank model from the Type 90-II tank family.[1]

Development

The MBT-3000 (industrial designation) project began development in 2009 as a cooperation of First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory and other companies.[1] It was based on the Type 90-II and outfitted with a locally produced powerplant. The MBT-3000 concept debuted at the 2012 Eurosatory.[2] The tank was subsequently shown at the 2014 Norinco Armor Day[3] and the tenth China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition as the VT-4. It has yet to enter mass production.

Design

The VT-4 uses technology from the Type 99A currently fielded by the People's Liberation Army.[1]

Armament

The VT-4 has a 125mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing APFSDS, HESH, HEAT and HE rounds and guided missiles. There is also a remote weapon station on the turret armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The fire control system has hunter-killer capabilities, laser rangefinder, panoramic sight, and a third generation thermal imaging system.[1]

Protection

The tank appears to have composite and explosive reactive armor.[2] The turret front has wedge shaped armor and the hull sides have armored sideskirts. The tank is equipped with an active protection system designated GL5, defensive grenade launchers, and a laser warning device.[1][4] The vehicle also has an IFF system, NBC protection, explosion suppression system, fire extinguishing system, and air conditioning.[5]

Mobility

According to Norinco, the VT-4 uses a locally produced 1,300 hp diesel engine with torsion bar suspension and an integrated hydraulic transmission system.[1][4][6][7][8] Steering and acceleration is handled by a steering wheel and automatic gear transmission.[1]

Command and control

The tank is also integrated with digital communications systems for tank-tank communication and communication between commanders.[1]

Operators

Current operators

 Thailand

  • The Royal Thai Army has 28 VT-4 in service, delivered in October 2017.[9] The deal, thought to be valued at about USD150 million,[10][11] included an option to buy a further 153 vehicles.[12] In April 2017, The Royal Thai Army ordered an additional 10 VT-4 main battle tanks from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) worth $58 million.[13][14]

Potential operators

 Peru

  • Has been offered 100 VT-4 by China.[15]

 Pakistan

  • Pakistan is currently in talks with the Chinese Government to buy VT-4 MBTs.[16] In January 2018, images surfaced showing the Pakistani Army testing the VT-4.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "VT4坦克总设计师：我国坦克炮可击穿1米厚钢装甲". www.guancha.cn. Norinco. 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b Pakistan Eyes new Chinese Tank, VT-4
  3. ^ "Norinco Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2014" (PDF). Norinco. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b http://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/vt4_mbt-3000_norinco_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video_uk.html
  5. ^ "VT4 MBT-3000 Norinco main battle tank technical data sheet specifications pictures video UK | China Chinese heavy armoured vehicle tank UK | Chinese China army military equipment armoured UK". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  6. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/vt-4.htm
  7. ^ http://defensetech.org/2012/06/14/china-displays-ads-and-tank-under-development/
  8. ^ "Tank maker seeks to increase exports on land armaments". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  9. ^ Nanuam, Wassana (11 October 2017). "First batch of 28 China-made tanks rolls in". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  10. ^ http://www.janes.com/article/60340/thailand-to-procure-mbt-3000-tanks-from-china
  11. ^ http://thaiarmedforce.com/taf-military-news/53-rta-news/814-rta-signed-for-vt-4-mbt.html
  12. ^ http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-china-military-cooperation/3346960.html
  13. ^ RTA orders additional chinese tanks. defence-blog.com. {{cite news}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
  14. ^ Yeo, Mike (4 April 2017). "Thailand to buy more Chinese tanks, reportedly for $58M". Defense News. Melbourne, Australia. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  15. ^ "China Offers 100 VT4 Main Battle Tanks for Peru". defence-blog.com. Defence Blog. 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  16. ^ http://www.asiadespatch.org/2014/11/26/pakistan-eyes-new-chinese-tank-vt-4/
  17. ^ Samuel, Cranny-Evans (8 January 2018). "Images suggest Pakistan Army may be testing Norinco VT4 MBT". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
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