Main Battle Tanks and Armour Technology

[Willy2]

Let Pakistan to buy them first...it's possible for Pakistan to opted for older T-80UD...many of these tank are in Ukrainian storage..and Pak also have 300 something T-80...so they can go for numerical value and bring the T-80 storage to pak..and with chinese or ukrainian help upgrade them...

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

This is Ukrainian tank and they are using 1500 HP Engine .

[The engine in 1500 hp Did not pass until the end of the test. Information on the new modification is small. Now there are engines: in 1200 and 1400 hp. What is installed is not known.

I meant reliability wise. The 5TD series engines don't exactly have a stellar reputation for being hardy.

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

If pakistan decides to get better tanks, maybe it will convince IA to take a second look at the homebrew Arjun. After all the Abrams scare in the 80s changed Arjun design from a medium to a heavy tank.

 

[airtel]

Let Pakistan to buy them first...

Ukraine is Busy in wars .....they could not supply these Tanks to Thailand , bangladesh or Peru ..................pakis will have to buy chini tanks .

 

[WARREN SS]

If pakistan decides to get better tanks, maybe it will convince IA to take a second look at the homebrew Arjun. After all the Abrams scare in the 80s changed Arjun design from a medium to a heavy tank.

DRDO should better Sell TOT To Private firms For arjun And See they will develop it into full fledged product

 

[Akim]

I meant reliability wise. The 5TD series engines don't exactly have a stellar reputation for being hardy.

Then why was an engine produced almost 20 years?

Let Pakistan to buy them first...it's possible for Pakistan to opted for older T-80UD...many of these tank are in Ukrainian storage..and Pak also have 300 something T-80...so they can go for numerical value and bring the T-80 storage to pak..and with chinese or ukrainian help upgrade them...

In Ukraine, there is no T-80UD.

 

[itsme]

Looks nice, I like this Oplot P.

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

Then why was an engine produced almost 20 years?

In Ukraine, there is no T-80UD.

Can't really answer that, logistics, supply chain, inventory there's too many variables. But if Ukraine did manage to iron out all the issues, then that would be a significant achievement. The jumo 205 was after all an aero engine. The British couldn't tame the Leyland l60 and the Soviets had similar troubles with the 5td series, so I can't help but be a bit sceptical.

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

@Akim how good are nozh and duplet era modules when compared to kontakt, relikt, or blazer series ? Plus has Ukraine managed to produce something comparable to sosna-u ?

 

[Akim]

Can't really answer that, logistics, supply chain, inventory there's too many variables. But if Ukraine did manage to iron out all the issues, then that would be a significant achievement. The jumo 205 was after all an aero engine. The British couldn't tame the Leyland l60 and the Soviets had similar troubles with the 5td series, so I can't help but be a bit sceptical.

I was talking about the Soviet times, where the 5TD were going from the mid-60s to 87 years. In the beginning, there were many complaints, because they could not exploit it. But the engine is not abandoned. This is a deception of pseudo-experts who T-64 have only seen in the picture. Therefore, this engine was continued in the series 6TD.

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

I was talking about the Soviet times, where the 5TD were going from the mid-60s to 87 years. In the beginning, there were many complaints, because they could not exploit it. But the engine is not abandoned. This is a deception of pseudo-experts who T-64 have only seen in the picture. Therefore, this engine was continued in the series 6TD.

Well it is true Ukraine is kind of the underdog in the arms bazaar, so even if it does manage to develop cool stuff, the established players will downplay it and the lack of explicit and implicit marketing doesn't really help. I hope Morozov isn't turning in his grave. Kharkiv used to be the premier armored vehicle design bureau of the ssr.

 

[Willy2]

In Ukraine, there is no T-80UD.

Sorry..I don't know that T-80UD is complete UKR modification...but are't there T-80 in reserve ??? large USSR breakway country like UKR should have large reserve of these tanks .....

 

[Akim]

@Akim how good are nozh and duplet era modules when compared to kontakt, relikt, or blazer series ? Plus has Ukraine managed to produce something comparable to sosna-u ?

About ERA. There are no fundamental differences in combat characteristics. Reactive armor protects tanks well from any kind of ammunition.
But the built-in ERA has a drawback. In field conditions, the damaged unit can not be replaced. In Ukraine, a cheaper ERA "Nozh-L" was developed, which is installed in the Kontact-1 containers and provides protection like Kontact-5.
Sosna-U analogue is not needed, because this sight has a digital ballistic calculator, because the T-72 does not have FSC at all.
When upgrading the T-64, the thermal sight of the gunner is mounted on the standard place of the old sight.
These 5 modernized tanks were taken to the "Strong Europe Tank Challenge 2017". The external difference is only the GPS antenna.

 

[Akim]

Well it is true Ukraine is kind of the underdog in the arms bazaar, so even if it does manage to develop cool stuff, the established players will downplay it and the lack of explicit and implicit marketing doesn't really help. I hope Morozov isn't turning in his grave. Kharkiv used to be the premier armored vehicle design bureau of the ssr.

Due to Russia's aggression, tank factories secured orders for many years.

Sorry..I don't know that T-80UD is complete UKR modification...but are't there T-80 in reserve ??? large USSR breakway country like UKR should have large reserve of these tanks .....

In Ukraine have are several hundred T-80BV. Their combat potential is equal to T-64BV, but the exploitation cost several times more. Therefore, they were in reserve. Now part of the tanks have been restored and a tank company with a T-80BV was created in each airmobile brigade.

 

[Dazzler]

Not bad. Turret has duplet era, maybe Hull sides too. What about the engine ?

Yes, the sides also have Duplet ERA. The tank is yet to be tested in pakistan. Keep in mind that this is not the definitive version. Whether it will be bought or not, depends on how it performs in Pakistan.

 

[Dazzler]

Ukraine is Busy in wars .....they could not supply these Tanks to Thailand , bangladesh or Peru ..................pakis will have to buy chini tanks .

Chinese VT-4 was also tested but fell short in several areas.

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

Yes, the sides also have Duplet ERA. The tank is yet to be tested in pakistan. Keep in mind that this is not the definitive version. Whether it will be bought or not, depends on how it performs in Pakistan.

Assuming it gets selected, is KMDB going to supply fully built units, or Taxila will integrate/assemble ?

 

[airtel]

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5

The new Chinese VT5 light tank has an entirely new design



Country of origin China
Entered service ?
Crew 3 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 33 - 36 t
Length (gun forward) 9.2 m
Hull length ~ 7.5 m
Width 3.3 m
Height (turret roof) 2.5 m
Armament
Main gun 105 mm rifled
ATGW ?
Machine guns 1 x 12.7 mm, 1 x 7.62 mm
Grenade launcher 1 x 40 mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 38 rounds
Machine guns ?
Mobility
Engine diesel
Engine power 1 000 hp

Maximum road speed 70 km/h
Range 450 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.85 m
Trench ~ 2.5 m
Fording 1.1 m
Fording with preparation ?


The VT5 is a new Chinese light tank. First pictures of the new light tank appeared back in 2010. The whole development program was kept in secrecy and there were no official comments regarding this new tank. This vehicle has entirely new design. It looks like it was developed as a successor for the ageing Type 62 light tanks, used by the Chinese armed forces. Chinese requirement might be for at least 300 new light tanks. Though according to NORINCO it was developed exclusively for export. It was first publicly revealed in 2016. The VT5 is an export designation. It is being offered for various possible customers.

Mobility is the key factor of this new machine. It is intended mainly for reconnaissance and infantry support operations. It can operate in terrains such as mountainous areas, jungles and river regions, that are not accessible to heavier main battle tanks. It might be also used by airborne troops. Development of this new tank shows the high level of resources China is devoting towards its offensive capabilities.

The VT5 has a welded armored hull and turret, reportedly made of steel armor. The tank is also fitted with add-on armor kit. It can be either passive composite armor, or explosive reactive armor. Some areas of the VT5 tank are covered with cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank missiles and rockets. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted as standard. The tank weights 33-36 t, depending on armor package. Various armor configurations were observed.

There is also a passive protection system with a laser detector. It triggers smoke grenade dischargers once the tank is illuminated by a laser beam. This system reduces the chance of being hit by anti-tank missiles with laser guidance.

This new Chinese tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 105 mm rifled gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition. The gun it has got an automatic bustle-mounted ammunition loading system, which allowed to reduce the crew to 3 men. Also smaller crew allowed to reduce overall dimension of the tank, making it a smaller target on the battlefield. The VT5 has got an effective firing range of 3 km. With APFSDS round can penetrate up to 500 mm of rolled homogenous armor. Such penetration capabilities are not sufficient to defeat modern main battle tanks over the front arc. However the VT5 can also launch 105 mm anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These extend the effective range to up to 5 km and hit probability of over 90% against stationary targets. Furthermore the missiles have tandem HEAT warheads and pose serious threat to main battle tanks, and can even target low-flying helicopters. Also there are ordinary HEAT and HE rounds for use against light armored vehicles, buildings and field fortifications.

A total of 38 rounds and missiles are carried for the main gun. Spent cases are automatically ejected via a hatch at the rear of the turret.

Secondary armament consists of a remotely-controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. There is also a provision for coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

The VT5 has got a modern fire control system. It includes laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, wind sensor, gunner's thermal sight and commander's panoramic sight with thermal vision. Thermal vision allows to engage targets at night and during adverse weather conditions.

This light tank has got a hunter-killer engagement capability, which is present on all modern main battle tanks. Commander uses his panoramic sight to search for targets. Once the target is selected the gun is laid on the target automatically and the gunner completes al the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target.

The tank is fitted with a navigation, satellite communication and battlefield management systems.

The VT5 is operated by a crew of 3, including commander, gunner, and driver. Crew seating is standard for modern tanks. The driver is seated at the center of the hull. Commander and gunner are seated in the turret.

This new Chinese tank is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The engine is mounted at the rear of the hull. It is mated to a fully-automatic transmission. The tank has got steel tracks with optional rubber pads. Maximum range on fuel is 450 km, though it can be extended to around 650 km by mounting external fuel tanks.

Due to its light weight the VT5 is much more mobile than main battle tanks, such as Type 96 and Type 99. It can be used in mountainous areas that are not accessible to main battle tanks. For example the Indian T-72 or T-90 main battle tanks can not go high in to the mountains. At high altitudes air becomes thin and their engines start to loose power. So high in the mountains the new Chinese tank should not encounter any heavily-armored opponents.

This new tank is air transportable. It can be airlifted by military cargo aircraft. It is possible that this tank can be paradropped. A hydropneumatic suspension with adjustable ground clearance was present on prototypes. However it is unclear it if made to production. Most possible customers of the VT5 have no requirement for a paradroppable combat vehicle.

The tank is not amphibious. It is worth noting that Chinese marines operate a ZBD-2000 amphibious light tank, that was specially designed for high-speed swimming and is also armed with a 105 mm gun. Though both of these tanks are totally different. There were no intentions to simplify servicing and maintenance by using interchangeable components.

It is likely that a number of VT5 variants, such as armored recovery vehicle, will emerge over time.

http://www.military-today.com/tanks/vt5.htm

 

[Bahamut]

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5
Light Tank

VT5

The new Chinese VT5 light tank has an entirely new design



Country of origin China
Entered service ?
Crew 3 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 33 - 36 t
Length (gun forward) 9.2 m
Hull length ~ 7.5 m
Width 3.3 m
Height (turret roof) 2.5 m
Armament
Main gun 105 mm rifled
ATGW ?
Machine guns 1 x 12.7 mm, 1 x 7.62 mm
Grenade launcher 1 x 40 mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 38 rounds
Machine guns ?
Mobility
Engine diesel
Engine power 1 000 hp

Maximum road speed 70 km/h
Range 450 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.85 m
Trench ~ 2.5 m
Fording 1.1 m
Fording with preparation ?


The VT5 is a new Chinese light tank. First pictures of the new light tank appeared back in 2010. The whole development program was kept in secrecy and there were no official comments regarding this new tank. This vehicle has entirely new design. It looks like it was developed as a successor for the ageing Type 62 light tanks, used by the Chinese armed forces. Chinese requirement might be for at least 300 new light tanks. Though according to NORINCO it was developed exclusively for export. It was first publicly revealed in 2016. The VT5 is an export designation. It is being offered for various possible customers.

Mobility is the key factor of this new machine. It is intended mainly for reconnaissance and infantry support operations. It can operate in terrains such as mountainous areas, jungles and river regions, that are not accessible to heavier main battle tanks. It might be also used by airborne troops. Development of this new tank shows the high level of resources China is devoting towards its offensive capabilities.

The VT5 has a welded armored hull and turret, reportedly made of steel armor. The tank is also fitted with add-on armor kit. It can be either passive composite armor, or explosive reactive armor. Some areas of the VT5 tank are covered with cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank missiles and rockets. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted as standard. The tank weights 33-36 t, depending on armor package. Various armor configurations were observed.

There is also a passive protection system with a laser detector. It triggers smoke grenade dischargers once the tank is illuminated by a laser beam. This system reduces the chance of being hit by anti-tank missiles with laser guidance.

This new Chinese tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 105 mm rifled gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition. The gun it has got an automatic bustle-mounted ammunition loading system, which allowed to reduce the crew to 3 men. Also smaller crew allowed to reduce overall dimension of the tank, making it a smaller target on the battlefield. The VT5 has got an effective firing range of 3 km. With APFSDS round can penetrate up to 500 mm of rolled homogenous armor. Such penetration capabilities are not sufficient to defeat modern main battle tanks over the front arc. However the VT5 can also launch 105 mm anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These extend the effective range to up to 5 km and hit probability of over 90% against stationary targets. Furthermore the missiles have tandem HEAT warheads and pose serious threat to main battle tanks, and can even target low-flying helicopters. Also there are ordinary HEAT and HE rounds for use against light armored vehicles, buildings and field fortifications.

A total of 38 rounds and missiles are carried for the main gun. Spent cases are automatically ejected via a hatch at the rear of the turret.

Secondary armament consists of a remotely-controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. There is also a provision for coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

The VT5 has got a modern fire control system. It includes laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, wind sensor, gunner's thermal sight and commander's panoramic sight with thermal vision. Thermal vision allows to engage targets at night and during adverse weather conditions.

This light tank has got a hunter-killer engagement capability, which is present on all modern main battle tanks. Commander uses his panoramic sight to search for targets. Once the target is selected the gun is laid on the target automatically and the gunner completes al the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target.

The tank is fitted with a navigation, satellite communication and battlefield management systems.

The VT5 is operated by a crew of 3, including commander, gunner, and driver. Crew seating is standard for modern tanks. The driver is seated at the center of the hull. Commander and gunner are seated in the turret.

This new Chinese tank is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The engine is mounted at the rear of the hull. It is mated to a fully-automatic transmission. The tank has got steel tracks with optional rubber pads. Maximum range on fuel is 450 km, though it can be extended to around 650 km by mounting external fuel tanks.

Due to its light weight the VT5 is much more mobile than main battle tanks, such as Type 96 and Type 99. It can be used in mountainous areas that are not accessible to main battle tanks. For example the Indian T-72 or T-90 main battle tanks can not go high in to the mountains. At high altitudes air becomes thin and their engines start to loose power. So high in the mountains the new Chinese tank should not encounter any heavily-armored opponents.

This new tank is air transportable. It can be airlifted by military cargo aircraft. It is possible that this tank can be paradropped. A hydropneumatic suspension with adjustable ground clearance was present on prototypes. However it is unclear it if made to production. Most possible customers of the VT5 have no requirement for a paradroppable combat vehicle.

The tank is not amphibious. It is worth noting that Chinese marines operate a ZBD-2000 amphibious light tank, that was specially designed for high-speed swimming and is also armed with a 105 mm gun. Though both of these tanks are totally different. There were no intentions to simplify servicing and maintenance by using interchangeable components.

It is likely that a number of VT5 variants, such as armored recovery vehicle, will emerge over time.

http://www.military-today.com/tanks/vt5.htm

What is type and thickness of armor and what is the quality of reactive armour. Plus 105mm gun is very underpowered even with the missile

 

[Dazzler]

Assuming it gets selected, is KMDB going to supply fully built units, or Taxila will integrate/assemble ?

Provided it gets selected, Ukraine might supply full built units as HIT is busy with Alkhalid-1s and the upcoming Alkhalid-2. However, the maintenance, upgradation will be done locally much like how they manage the t-80ud. The latter now share several components from Alkhalid including the battle management system, ECS, ammo and thermal imagers.