VT-4 Main Battle Tank

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VT-4/MBT3000
Mbt3000.jpg
VT-4 during combat trials
Type Main battle tank
Place of origin China
Service history
Used by See Operators below
Production history
Designer Norinco
Manufacturer Norinco
Produced 2014- present
Specifications
Weight 52 ton
Length 10.10 m
Width 3.40 m
Height 2.30 m
Crew 3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Armor Classified
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
Engine Turbocharged diesel engine
1,300 hp (969 kW)
Power/weight 25 hp/tonne
Suspension torsion bar
Operational
range
 500 km (310 mi)
Speed 68 km/h (42 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, under the 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 power plant. 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, guided missiles, HEAT and HE. There is also a remote weapon station on the turret armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The fire control system has hunter-killer capabilities, laser rangefinder, panoramic sight, a third generation thermal imaging system, and more.[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. It is unknown if the active protection system is a soft-kill or hard-kill system.[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 1300HP 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 RTA has signed an agreement with China to procure the VT-4 main battle tank (MBT), features an initial 28 units, with deliveries expected to commence before the end of 2016 and conclude within two years. The deal, thought to be valued at about USD150 million,[9][10] includes an option to buy a further 153 vehicles.[11]

Potential operators

 Peru

  • Has been offered 100 VT-4 by China.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pakistan Eyes new Chinese Tank, VT-4
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 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. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  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. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/60340/thailand-to-procure-mbt-3000-tanks-from-china
  10. ↑ http://thaiarmedforce.com/taf-military-news/53-rta-news/814-rta-signed-for-vt-4-mbt.html
  11. ↑ http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-china-military-cooperation/3346960.html
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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