The VT-4 (Chinese: VT-4主战坦克; pinyin: VT-4 zhǔzhàn tǎnkè), also known as the MBT-3000,[2] is a Chinese third generation main battle tank built by Norinco for overseas export.[3]

VT-4
A Pakistan Army VT-4 Main Battle Tank
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2017-present
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Boko Haram insurgency[1]
Production history
Designer	Norinco
Manufacturer	Norinco Heavy Industries Taxila
Unit cost	$4.9 million
Produced	2014-present
Variants	MBT Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Specifications
Mass	52 tonnes
Length	10.10 m
Width	3.40 m
Height	2.30 m
Crew	3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Armor	Explosive reactive armour (ERA) and composite armour
Main armament	125 mm (4.9 in) smoothbore, 38 rounds (of which, 22 in the autoloader)
Secondary armament	1 x RWS 12.7 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)
Maximum speed	70 km/h (43 mph)

Development

During the development of Type 90-II/Al-Khalid (also known as MBT-2000) in the 1980s, the gearbox and engine were originally imported from Germany, but this plan was shelved due to the Western arms embargo. The powertrain instead was sourced from Ukraine, the same for most Chinese export vehicles at the time.[4]

China eventually developed domestic powertrains, which led to the creation of the MBT-3000 program for export customers. MBT-3000 was the successor of the Type-90II (MBT-2000) export tank.[5] The MBT-3000 project later named as VT-4 began development in 2009 as a co-operation with First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory and other companies.[5]

The MBT-3000 concept debuted at the 2012 Eurosatory.[6] The tank was subsequently shown at the 2014 Norinco Armor Day[7] and the 10th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition as the VT-4.

Design

The VT-4 shares many subsystems technology and features from other latest Chinese main battle tanks such as Type 96B and Type 99A. Key examples are an automatic transmission system, 125mm smoothbore cannon, muzzle reference system, FY-4 ERA, carousel style autoloader, and overall geometry.[3]

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.[3] According to the chief designer, the APFSDS used by VT-4 can reach 700mm penetration which is enough to penetrate any armoured target,[3] although the distance in which 700mm of penetration was achieved was not disclosed.

Protection

The tank is protected by dual-layer protection consisting of composite armor and FY-4 explosive reactive armour.[8] According to the chief designer Feng Yibai, the frontal protection force is equivalent to 500mm homogeneous steel armor, and the explosive reaction armor is around 700mm.[3] Although not the best protection on the market it's been said that this level of protection is sufficient for the needs of developing nations. The front turret has wedge-shaped armor similar to other contemporary Chinese MBT's and the hull sides have conventional metal sideskirts. The tank can be equipped with a ′hardkill′ active protection system designated GL5, defensive grenade launchers and a laser warning device.[3] The vehicle also has an IFF system, NBC protection, explosion-suppression system, fire-extinguishing system and air conditioning.^{[citation needed]}

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.[3][9][10][11] Steering and acceleration is handled by a steering wheel and automatic gear transmission.[3] VT-4 is also capable of neutral steering.

Command and control

The tank is also integrated with digital communications systems for tank-tank communication and communication between commanders.[3]

Variants

MBT-3000

Prototype.

VT-4

Production model.

VT-4A1

Improved model with a modified turret. The new turret features radar panels, repositioned grenade dischargers, new hard-kill active protection system and a launcher for small attack drones.[12]

Operators

 Nigeria

• Vehicles delivered to the Nigerian Army in April 2020.[13]

 Pakistan

• 300 VT-4 tanks will be delivered to the Pakistan army by 2023 along with an option for 160 more in accordance to the 2017 deal.[2][14][15] A 110 additional units will be built at Heavy Industries Taxila with indigenous equipment according to a ToT agreement. [16]

 Thailand

• The Royal Thai Army has 38 VT-4 in service, with the first 28 delivered in October 2017.[17][18] The deal, thought to be valued at about US$150 million,[19][20] included an option to buy a further 153 vehicles.[21] In April 2017, the Royal Thai Army ordered an additional 10 VT-4 main battle tanks from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) worth US$58 million that was delivered as of early 2019.[22]

See also

• Type 99 tank - Similar Chinese third-generation MBT

References

External links

• CCTV news footage of VT-4 driving past obstacles

На других языках

[ru] VT-4