Contrary to our resident skeptic Thailand ordered a 2nd batch of VT4 with Chinese domestic diesel engine of 1200 HP. Sofar they ordered 38. See if they are happy with it because there might be following order of 150 tanks
The Thai government recently approved US $ 58 million on Tuesday for the additional acquisition of ten Chinese
VT-4 tanks .
"These battle tanks will be used to replace the US M41s, which are both small and obsolete," says Sanserv Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the Thai Cabinet.
This is a second batch of the VT-4 tank bought by Thailand, in addition to the 28 Chinese tanks of the same model ordered in 2016.
The Thai army signed a contract of 49
T-84 tanks with the Ukraine in 2011, but only about 20 were delivered. This situation forced the country to re-launch a new call for tenders afterwards.
The VT-4 tank at the last Zhuhai Air Show.
The integrated VT-4 engine package
According to some analysts, Thailand, which is the oldest ally of the United States in Southeast Asia, is gradually approaching China in many economic as well as military fields.
In July 2015, the Royal Thai Navy confirmed the purchase of three Chinese
S26T submarines for an amount of US $ 1.06 billion. A first part of the budget, US $ 380 million, is allocated by the Thai Cabinet in January this year for the first building.
The S26T will be equipped with AIP propulsion with a range of 21 days under water. The Chinese group CSIC offers 2 years warranty with 8 years of maintenance and parts, as well as 3 years of training of the Thai crews with the transfer of certain technologies.
France, Germany, Russia and South Korea also participated in this call for tenders in Thailand, proposing
Scorpene ,
Type 209 ,
Project 636 Varshavyanka ("Kilo" in NATO code) and
DW -1400T (derived from the German Type 209).
Apart from the S26T submarine, the Thai army also acquires numerous Chinese military equipment, such as the 8 × 8
VN-1 armored infantry vehicle , the
KS-1C anti-aircraft system (see our "
"), or the LRMS
WS-1B .
A sign on the VT-5 in Thailand.
As for the VT-4, it is a 51-ton heavy battle tank that the NORINCO Group develops exclusively for the export market.
The Chinese tank dedicated to export takes over the power pack of ZTZ
-99A , another Chinese heavy tank but is used by the Chinese Army. Given its lower weight, the power of the VT-4 is degraded from 1,500 hp to 1,200 hp, but with extended service life. The engine also uses an automatic gearbox with two-way torque converter, ensuring a road speed of 71 km / h.
The precise data on the VT-4 composite shielding is not available at this time. But if one believes in the interview of a chief engineer of the NORINCO group, the Chinese tank could withstand the 120 mm caliber 44-pin APFSDS.
The VT-4 is also equipped with a Hunter-Killer fire control system, as well as a 125 mm smooth-bore barrel and a remote-controlled turret. The tank commander also has his own independent viewfinder.
The Thai army believes that it needs 150 more tanks, so it will be interesting to see what feedback the VT-4 battle tank has received in a rather tropical environment, and whether there will be other Orders after the 28 + 10 copies delivered.
Henri K.