Pakistan Army has inducted state-of-the-art Chinese made VT-4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), reported ISPR on Wednesday.
According to the military’s media wing, Lieutenant General Shaheen Mazher Mehmood – Commander Mangla Corps visited Armoured Division and was briefed ongoing post shipment inspections of the first batch of newly inducted state of the art VT-4 tanks by Maj Gen Rashid Mahmood.
Lt Gen Shaheen Mazher Mehmood witnessed the mobility and manoeuvrability test of tanks and appreciated the efforts undertaken by the Formation for smooth conduct of the induction process.
VT-4 MBTs
The VT-4 main battle tank also known as the MBT3000, is a Chinese third generation main battle tank built by Norinco for overseas export. The VT-4 tank is derived from the Al-Khalid tank.
Pakistan has reportedly ordered 176 VT-4 tanks as part of the initial order, whereas a total of 300 VT-4 tanks are planned to be inducted into Pakistan Army.
he 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.
The APFSDS used by VT-4 can reach 700mm penetration which is enough to penetrate any armored target.
Read More: Al Khalid-I tanks inducted into Pakistan Army
The tank is protected by dual-layer protection consisting of composite armor and FY-4 explosive reactive armor.
Tank’s frontal protection force is equivalent to 500mm homogeneous steel armor, and the explosive reaction armor is around 700mm. 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. The tank also has an IFF system, NBC protection, explosion-suppression system, fire-extinguishing system and air conditioning.
Tank is also integrated with digital communications systems for tank-tank communication and communication between commanders.
The VT-4 received by Pakistan Army with a 1500hp-engine upgrade with torsion bar suspension and an integrated hydraulic transmission system. Steering and acceleration is handled by a steering wheel and automatic gear transmission.
