The 125mm smooth bore gun’s automatic loader holds 22 rounds of ready use separate loading ammunition, projectile and charge, plus an additional 16 rounds in reserve. This has allowed the crew to be reduced to commander, gunner and driver. VT4 is armed with a 125mm smooth bore gun, similar to that installed in the Russian Uralvagonzavod T-72/T-90 MBTs, which is fed by an automatic loader located under the turret. The hull and turret are of steel armour with added composite armour over the frontal arc and bar/slat armour over the turret rear, but there is an option for the installation of explosive reactive armour (ERA) for increased protection against incoming threat munitions with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. VT4 is a conventional MBT design and has a typical gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 52 tonnes with driver’s compartment at the front, turret in the middle and 1,200hp power pack at the rear. Other known export customers include Nigeria and Pakistan.
These were followed by another two batches of 10 and 14 units. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese instructors who originally planned to travel to Nigeria for further operation training are yet to be put into place for the time being, according to the Chinese Government.The latest Chinese MBT to enter production for the export market is the VT4, previously known as the MBT-3000, with the first export customer being the Royal Thai Army (RTA) who placed the initial contract for 28 in 2016 with first deliveries taking place in 2017. The Nigerian soldiers who will operate the tanks have been trained in China. Nigeria has become the first country in the region to own advanced tanks and is now fully prepared for the use and maintenance of the vehicles. The Nigerian Army Chief of Policy and Plans (CPPLANS) Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun said that Nigeria and the NORINCO signed a package contract last year. It has been exported to Thailand and won recognition of the Thai Royal Army.” The tank has strong maneuverability, good protection performance, and strong firepower.
It uses CH1000B hydro-mechanical drive system, 125 mm smoothbore gun, FY-4 reactive armor, and 1,300hp engine. “The VT-4 MBT is a third-generation main battle tank built by the NORINCO for export. The first batch of 17 military vehicles consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzers bought by the Nigerian Army from China recently arrived in the country, say the Chinese Government.Īccording to the Chinese Government here, the Nigerian Army made this emergency purchase to strike at Boko Haram Terrorists in northern Nigeria.
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