Serious Thailand buys China Main Battle Tank

Thailand to Buy Battle Tanks from China

Agreement inked with Beijing for MBT-3000s.


Thailand’s military has inked an agreement with China to purchase tanks from the Asian giant, officials said earlier this week.

Thai officials have confirmed that the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has formally signed a pact to buy the MBT-3000 main battle tank produced by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). Deliveries are expected to begin before the end of the year and continue within a two-year timespan.

If the deal is realized, it would make Thailand the first known export customer of the MBT-3000, also referred to as the V-4.

Specifics on the agreement, including the number of tanks to be purchased and the price, are yet to be publicly disclosed. IHS Jane’s cited Thai military officials as saying that the contract features an initial 28 units and is valued at around $150 million, though the RTA could procure additional tanks to meet its requirement for up to 150 MBTs. Meanwhile, Chinese state media cited Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon as saying that Thailand had planned to buy as many as 100 new tanks. Prawit is also the country’s defense minister

Commenting on the decision to purchase tanks from China, Thailand’s army chief Teerachai Nakwanich said he had full confidence in the high quality and performance of Chinese hardware.

“I have confidence in the performance since I personally went to see them,” Teerachai said Wednesday according to the Thai newspaper The Nation.

Earlier, Thailand had said that it would consider buying Russian T-90A main battle tanks. But Prawit and Teerachai both confirmed this week that the Southeast Asian state had decided on Chinese MBT-3000s instead.

However, as I indicated in a previous piece, Thai officials also said this week that they would look to purchase more Mil Mi 17V-5 helicopters from Russia to replace the U.S. CH-47D Chinook, though specifics have yet to be disclosed (See: “Thailand Mulls Buying New Military Helicopters from Russia”).

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]

Development

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

The VT-4 uses technology from the Type 99A currently fielded by the People's Liberation Army.[1]
Armament

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

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

According to Norinco, the VT-4 uses a locally produced 1300HP diesel engine with torsion bar suspension and an integrated hydraulic transmission system. [6][7][8][1][9] Steering and acceleration is handled by a steering wheel and automatic gear transmission.[1]
Command and control

The tank is also integrated with digital communications systems for tank-tank communication and communication between commanders. [1]
Operators
Current operators

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,[10][11] includes an option to buy a further 153 vehicles[12].

with the purchase of this MBT, all the neighbours now have 50 tonne class MBT with debatable levels of effectiveness. The Malaysians have the PT-91 Twardy, the Indons have the upgraded Leo 2, as do we and the Thais now have the MBT 3000. Although they bought only 1 battalion of tanks, they say they are in the market for up to 150 tanks.

It appears that on paper the Thais ,just paid over USD$5.35 million for each tank. They appear to have all the newest bells and whistles such as an active protection system, laser warning system and composite and ERA armour. that's alot of bang for the buck. On the other hand, they are all chinese made, as is the engine, and the gun is essentially a derivative of the T-72's 125mm which has been shown to be lacking in actual combat. Usually, the pakistanis take all the China export tanks first but in this case, the Thais are the first customers. We shall see how it goes.

Is 5 million cheap for a mbt?

Hopefully China will now release more water from dams upstream of the Mekong. I understand that Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are having a record drought now.

quite a good tank. can scare the shit out of separatists.

JohnTan said:

Hopefully China will now release more water from dams upstream of the Mekong. I understand that Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are having a record drought now.

Click to expand...

Since you ask. I'll tell cheeena to release water n give 1/2 ball in thw upcoming asian games just for mekong nations. Just remember to bet with sbf approved pools.

Papsmearer said:

with the purchase of this MBT, all the neighbours now have 50 tonne class MBT with debatable levels of effectiveness. The Malaysians have the PT-91 Twardy, the Indons have the upgraded Leo 2, as do we and the Thais now have the MBT 3000. Although they bought only 1 battalion of tanks, they say they are in the market for up to 150 tanks.

It appears that on paper the Thais ,just paid over USD$5.35 million for each tank. They appear to have all the newest bells and whistles such as an active protection system, laser warning system and composite and ERA armour. that's alot of bang for the buck. On the other hand, they are all chinese made, as is the engine, and the gun is essentially a derivative of the T-72's 125mm which has been shown to be lacking in actual combat. Usually, the pakistanis take all the China export tanks first but in this case, the Thais are the first customers. We shall see how it goes.

Click to expand...

During the tank competition in Russia 2 years ago, the t72 outran the Chinese type96. But when it comes to shooting at the distance targets, the Chinese tank outgunned the t72.

In the 80s the thai bought the Chinese type69 MBT. I assume if the Thais are not satisfy with the performance of type69, they are unlikely going to buy anymore Chinese MBT.

3_M said:

During the tank competition in Russia 2 years ago, the t72 outran the Chinese type96. But when it comes to shooting at the distance targets, the Chinese tank outgunned the t72.

In the 80s the thai bought the Chinese type69 MBT. I assume if the Thais are not satisfy with the performance of type69, they are unlikely going to buy anymore Chinese MBT.

Click to expand...

well there could be other reasons why thai buys chinese goods,just like why singapore buys american overpriced crap.china could be their number one trading partner.

PRC and Russian new tanks has automatic laser weapons which USA n NATO lacks.

Array of laser sensors around the tank will pick up any threat from surface and air to detect that enemies laseraimed towards our tank.

Automaticaly will the weapon fire back a strong laser that will blind enemies eyes, and destroys their aiming facilities.


Very nice thing to blind attack aircraft pilots, bcos that will crash US$100M plane.

According to Russian webs, laser weapons also triggers smoke screen protection and alert tank driver to flee.

With Putin's Armata tanks, it is also supposed to automatically take digital photo of the threat aiming our tank and send photo into integrated battlefield intelligence system, register an enemy anti-tank position.

http://m.sohu.com/n/409052622/?_trans_=000115_3w


99改坦克配两大激光武器 可致盲敌方人员眼睛
02-16 10:19 综合
放到桌面
2014年10月23日，中国99式主战坦克设计师祝榆生去世。最近，包括新华社、人民日报、解放军报等主流媒体密集推出新闻报道，缅怀这位中国第三代主战坦克总设计师、兵器工业科技发展终身成就奖获得者。

主战坦克被称为“陆战之王”，是陆军主战装备之一，在第二次世界大战及以后的多次战争中，成为陆战主角。近日对祝榆生事迹的缅怀，以及对99式坦克发展历史的回顾，在一定程度上展示了中国国产坦克的发展历程。然而，在信息化战争的大背景下，“坦克无用论”的说法甚嚣尘上。有观点认为坦克威力巨大却笨重不便，大集群坦克作战的时代或将结束。

面对种种唱衰坦克论调，专家给予了否定：虽然信息化战争环境更复杂，坦克不再是左右战争胜负的决定性武器，但如果坦克能适应数字化时代的研发理念，依然有广泛的用武之地，足以为陆军提供全天候全地形装甲火力突击平台。

99式改进型“信息力”强

99式坦克及其改进型融合了我国最新的信息和数字化成果，除了机动性、火力和防御力等传统优势明显外，信息化作战能力也有较大提升

1999年10月1日，中国举行国庆50周年阅兵式，首次公开露面的99式第三代主战坦克组成方阵从天安门前缓缓驶过，这一幕震撼了国人。

99式坦克是我国陆军新一代主战坦克，是陆军装甲师和机步师的主要突击力量。自1999年服役以来，它代表着中国主战坦克的最高水平。经过多年的发展和演变，99式坦克已衍生出多种改进型。值得一提的是，99式坦克及其改进型融合了我国最新的信息和数字化成果。

在军事专家宋忠平看来，99式坦克采用的激光压制系统是第三代坦克吸纳信息化技术的重要体现。

99式坦克配备了置顶激光眩目压制干扰装置，可以干扰和破坏敌方的观瞄器材。其主动式激光警告/对抗系统，包括一具激光预警系统(LWR)和一具致盲激光发射器(LSDW)。另外还装有一具激光通信/敌我识别系统。当LWR接收到敌方激光信号后，LSDW可在1秒钟内自动对准目标，并发射高能致盲激光来干扰、破坏敌方光电感测器，甚至能伤害对方观测仪器操作人员的眼睛。

“通俗来说，激光压制系统是一种主动的防御系统。”宋忠平说。

“99式坦克先进性的另一重要体现是，其信息打击通联能力更强，该特点使坦克在整体作战中形成更大优势。”宋忠平说，坦克有三大优势，即机动性、火力和防御力。在信息化战争时代，性能优异的坦克应再加上“信息力”这一能力。信息力指的是，各坦克信息体系之间的相互对抗，以及跟上级和友邻坦克建立信息通达的能力。坦克具备了足够强的“信息力”，才能够实现在一个目标区域内的集中打击。

当下的战争都是体系作战。在其中，承担起陆战重要职责的坦克是一个节点，如何对坦克建立信息数据通道，以便将不同环节、不同体系的火力集中起来是对信息化战争下坦克性能的考验。99式坦克在机动性、火力和防御力方面的传统优势比较凸出，“信息力”稍微欠缺，而99式改进型坦克的信息能力已有比较大的提高。

美军主战坦克经实战考验

欧洲和美国军队在信息化方面的优势，应该是中国坦克信息化，以及中国整体作战系统信息化的探索方向

99式系列坦克在追求“信息力”方面迈出重要步伐，其他国家在研发和改进坦克时亦在加速提升信息化性能。已研制6年的俄罗斯最新坦克“阿尔马塔”有了新消息。俄罗斯媒体报道称，这款新型坦克将于今年5月在莫斯科举行的二战胜利日阅兵式上首次亮相。

据报道，这款坦克的最大亮点是使用无人炮塔和完全数字化控制方式。炮塔下方没有人，车长、炮手和驾驶员分别坐在坦克头部或尾部的隔舱内。炮手可以操作隔舱内的武器遥控系统，让主炮自动装弹、击发、退壳，就算发生严重事故导致主炮或弹药意外爆炸，隔舱内的人员也不会被波及。

“阿尔马塔”坦克甚至还安装有独特的有源相控阵雷达，最多能够同时截获40个地面目标和25个空中目标，能够可视化控制方圆100公里的地区。

作为俄罗斯重振军力计划的一部分，俄罗斯国防部计划在2020年前为部队大规模装备该型坦克。

有评论称，俄军坦克在弹药方面有着不小的优势。相比较而言，美军的M1A2主战坦克使用的火炮已经超过25年没能进行显著升级，性能有所局限。

不过，专家给出了截然相反的观点。刘子军称，M1A1主战坦克在上世纪90年代后参加过美国很多次的对外大规模军事行动，其具备较强的信息力、机动性，且火力精准，所以M1A2仍是全球位居前列的主战坦克。

具体来说，M1A2配备了自主导航系统。刘子军称，通过GPS卫星定位系统能快速准确标定本身所在方位。M1A2安装了车长独立热像仪，大大提高了坦克在能见度很低情况下与敌交战能力。“多次的地面战争已经检验了M1A2的信息化实战能力，不断的信息化改进让其主动防御能力得到提升”。

专家分析称，德国的豹2系列坦克、英国的挑战者主战坦克、法国的勒克莱尔主战坦克都具有高度的信息化水平。这些国家的主战坦克不仅实现了从单兵显示到数字化坦克的显示，甚至接入了无人机显示，实现了军种与军种之间的信息融合。欧洲军队的信息化水平已经达到师与师之间的对接。欧洲和美国军队在信息化方面的优势，应该是中国坦克信息化，以及中国整体作战系统信息化的探索方向。

未来坦克应具有多种功能

为适应各种作战形势的新要求，就要考虑坦克的多任务能力，只有在整体的信息化作战体系中，坦克才能发挥其重要作用

二战以及其后很长时期内，坦克凭借出色的防护性能、机动性能和直瞄火力成为重要的地面突击力量，并被誉为“陆战之王”。然而，在海湾战争、科索沃战争等现代局部战争中，空中打击起到决定性作用，大规模配备坦克的重型装甲机械化部队未有用武之地。所以有种声音认为，坦克在信息化战争中只是个尺寸巨大的“笨拙的怪兽”。

然而，坦克没有被人抛弃，新型坦克仍具备较强的吸引力。2014年11月4日，中国最新外贸主战坦克MBT-3000在珠海航展开幕前夕亮相。MBT-3000主战坦克是上世纪90年代初，由北方工业公司为满足现代作战要求，以外销为主要目的研发的一款主战坦克。MBT3000使用全数字化的火控系统，首次采用双CAN数据总线。猎-歼式综合火控系统配备了独立的炮长、车长第二代制冷式热成像系统，具备图像稳定的自动跟踪功能。

宋忠平称，在信息化时代，陆海空三军的作战界限也会模糊化，会形成一体化能力。其中海军会承担一定的陆军作战任务，空军有陆航作战的任务。为适应各种作战形势的新要求，还要考虑坦克的多任务能力。比如新一代坦克应具备高原作战、海岛作战、两栖作战等功能;另外，坦克轻型化也应该是发展方向之一，只有体积和重量较小，才便于给坦克“插上翅膀”，实现远程机动部署。

“能让这些功能得到良好发挥，就得重视坦克的智能化和体系化，让它能够真正成为信息作战的力量。而在珠海航展亮相的MBT3000就采用了很多智能化技术，这将有利于坦克成为信息化作战平台中的一个重要信息节点”。

刘子军认为，在信息化战争时代，坦克仍然是重要的多用途战斗车辆，其所具备的高防护力和强大火力，可以在巷战和打击恐怖分子方面发挥独特优势。专家相信，为了密集使用坦克，使其与步兵密切协同，用机动防空兵器对战斗队形进行严密的掩护。在用航空兵、导弹部队和火炮部队对敌人进行可靠的火力杀伤的情况下，高度智能化、信息化的坦克仍将是战场上最重要的武器之一，能完成最复杂的作战任务。

“不能让坦克这一种武器独自冲锋陷阵，只有在整体的信息化作战体系中，坦克才能发挥其重要作用。”宋忠平表示，要有一个完整的作战体系，这样才能保证获取高空、低空、超低空的制空权。各国军队不会让坦克在制空权、制海权等都不具备的情况下去冲锋陷阵，以至于陷入被动挨打的境地。“只有各种武器在信息化体系中，都能发挥自己应有的能力，营造一个一体化的作战系统，才能有利于坦克功能得到最大程度的发挥”。

■视点

从59式到99式

中国坦克达到世界先进水平

坦克出现于第一次世界大战，成名于第二次世界大战，并由此确立了其在陆军中的主导地位。相比于世界坦克强国，中国坦克发展起步晚了30多年。到新中国成立时，中国的坦克工业仍然为零。虽然我国对坦克的研制时间较晚，但是成就巨大。从第一代主战坦克到第三代，我国实现了从仿制、改进到自主研发的历史性跨越，与国际先进水平的差距不断缩小，目前的第三代坦克的某些性能甚至处于世界最顶尖水平。

中国的第一款国产坦克是于1959年装备部队的59式坦克。这是中国于上世纪50年代引进前苏联T-54A坦克生产技术研制生产的。从1958年生产出第一辆59式坦克，到1959年定型生产开始，经过30多年的改造和完善，我国已形成了以59式坦克为基型车的一个车族。

此后，69式坦克于1969年开始研制，1974年研制成功并装备部队。严格地说，69式是59式的一种改进型坦克，主要的改进是采用了100毫米滑膛炮、功率从520马力提高到580马力的强化发动机、主动红外夜视、双向稳定器和自动装表式火控系统，但总体结构没有变化。69式坦克是中国自主研制的第一种坦克，装备了大约1000辆，被称为“一代坦克”。69式坦克的研制提高了中国的坦克研制水平，培养了一批人才。

中国“二代坦克”的研制始于上世纪70年代末到80年代初。这就是广为人知的80式系列坦克。80式主战坦克是中国继59式、69式坦克以后的第二代新型主战坦克，1978年开始研制，1987年设计定型，1988年装备部队，正式命名是88式主战坦克。该型坦克研制的意义在于使中国第一次全面地研制一种新型坦克，它使中国获得了研制坦克的宝贵系统综合技术。

在上世纪80年代末到90年代初，中国开展了“三代坦克”的研制。实际上，早在1984年1月，中央军委就在为研制第三代坦克精心挑选总设计师。担任“三代坦克”总设计的祝榆生提出“系统取胜”设计理念，以优化、匹配系统性能，有效地解决了第三代坦克设定指标高、研制难度大与我国技术基础薄弱、部件储备缺乏之间的矛盾。最终，祝榆生带领着研发团队，成功研制出我国第三代主战坦克，新设计部件占89%，使我国主战坦克一跃跻身于世界先进水平行列。

谈到中国坦克的发展历程，宋忠平总结说，第一代坦克实现了有限仿制;第二代坦克已经融合了我国自己附加的技术;第三代坦克是自主创新的成果。从中国第一款主战坦克59式，到今日的99式系列坦克，我们走了一条从仿制改进到自主研发的路线。中国人较强的赶超能力及自主研发的坚定决心推动着坦克工业的发展，使此前落后于西方几十年的坦克技术，终于达到世界先进水平。

3_M said:

During the tank competition in Russia 2 years ago, the t72 outran the Chinese type96. But when it comes to shooting at the distance targets, the Chinese tank outgunned the t72.

In the 80s the thai bought the Chinese type69 MBT. I assume if the Thais are not satisfy with the performance of type69, they are unlikely going to buy anymore Chinese MBT.

Click to expand...

If I recall, the Chinese sold the Type69 to them at friendship prices. Very cheap, and I also heard there were a lot of problems with them too. Like cracked chassis and stuff like that. The tank, based on the T-55 was already very obsolete by the time the Thais bought it in 1987. After the Chinese stopped making spare parts for
it, the Thais retired their Type 69 and sunk them in the seas and turned them into artificial reefs for divers. Thats more then 12 years ago. there is a good youtube post on it.

Lets say that for the purposes the Thais had for the tank, it was ok. Its not going to go toe to toe with the neighbour's tanks like Vietnam or Myanmar. The Thais still retain their American made M48 and M60s, which they procured even before 1987. So that goes to tell you how long the chinese tanks last, and what the thais think of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxJlhnuD_Mc

@Pap, any reason why the Malaysians went for the Polish tanks.

frenchbriefs said:

Is 5 million cheap for a mbt?

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The canadians paid $5 million for an upgraded version of the used leopard 2 tank, the A6. They bought 20 for $100 million. The leopard 2 in many ways is superior to the MBT 3000 other then the active protection system. The Leo 2's 120mm main gun is far superior to the 125mm of the MBT 3000.

Apparently, you the jews will also sell you a Merkava 4 for $6 million. And that hands down will be the MBT 3000 every day of the week. The top of the line brand new M1A2 SEP and the Challenger 2 will cost between $8-9 million each. All prices in USD.

For a chinese tank at $5 million, I would say they did not get a great bargain. There are other cheaper Chinese new tanks model.

frenchbriefs said:

Is 5 million cheap for a mbt?

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cheep cheep esp kickbacks in the amount

Papsmearer said:

The ca. There are other cheaper Chinese new tanks model.

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can get good bargainif opting for zinc diecast ones..........

Thailand should buy the Israeli Merkeva 4 tanks, and use it to crush the separatist movement in the south by its firepower and also by the tank's metal tracks.

so easy? might as well just pay you $5million and you don storm trooper suit and kill them.

No fight against angmos tanks.

Those fake buddhists will surely die in the battlefield.

Entrusting their lives to communists! :-)

Hans168 said:

cheep cheep esp kickbacks in the amount

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Ahahhahaha. yeah, tanks probably cost $3 million each. Then $1 million to Najib and another $1 million split between generals and politicians. In the end, the price is $5 million for tank, paid by the taxpayers. Sama sama in Singapore too.