VT-4 (tank)

VT-4/MBT3000

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 tonnes
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 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. 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 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

Potential operators

 Peru

 Iraq

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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 2015-11-05.
  2. 1 2 Pakistan Eyes new Chinese Tank, VT-4
  3. ↑ "Norinco Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2014" (PDF). Norinco. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 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 2015-11-16.
  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. ↑ 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. ↑ "China Offers 100 VT4 Main Battle Tanks for Peru". defence-blog.com. Defence Blog. 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
  13. ↑ http://slide.mil.news.sina.com.cn/l/slide_8_249_46629.html#p=1

External links

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