| 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 |
| Primary 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]
Contents
Development[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
The VT-4 uses technology from the Type 99A currently fielded by the People's Liberation Army.[1]
Armament[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
The tank is also integrated with digital communications systems for tank-tank communication and communication between commanders.[1]
Operators[edit | edit source]
Current operators[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
Peru
- Has been offered 100 VT-4 by China.[12]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "VT4坦克总设计师：我国坦克炮可击穿1米厚钢装甲". Norinco. 2015. http://www.guancha.cn/military-affairs/2014_12_05_302564_s.shtml. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pakistan Eyes new Chinese Tank, VT-4
- ↑ "Norinco Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2014". Norinco. http://www.norincogroup.com.cn/Upload/2007/2015-06/2015060903.pdf. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "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". 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. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
- ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/vt-4.htm
- ↑ http://defensetech.org/2012/06/14/china-displays-ads-and-tank-under-development/
- ↑ "Tank maker seeks to increase exports on land armaments[1- Chinadaily.com.cn"]. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-06/05/content_20913353.htm. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
- ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/60340/thailand-to-procure-mbt-3000-tanks-from-china
- ↑ http://thaiarmedforce.com/taf-military-news/53-rta-news/814-rta-signed-for-vt-4-mbt.html
- ↑ http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-china-military-cooperation/3346960.html
- ↑ "China Offers 100 VT4 Main Battle Tanks for Peru". Defence Blog. 2015. http://defence-blog.com/army/china-offers-100-vt4-main-battle-tanks-for-peru.html. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
External links[edit | edit source]
 Chinese modern AFVs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Main battle tanks |  | |
| Export MBTs | ||
| amphibious tanks | ||
| Infantry fighting vehicles | ||
| APCs | ||
| MRAPs | ||
| SPGs | ||
| Tank destroyer | ||
| Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicles | ||
| MRLs | ||
| SPAAG | ||
| Wheeled assault guns | ||
| Prototypes | ||
Note: x = retired from service or has ceased development | ||
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