Bangladesh Army tests indigenously upgraded Durjoy tanks

[The Ronin]

The Bangladesh Army has been testing the improved Durjoy medium tank, which in turn was originally upgraded from Type 59K tanks. A total of 174 existing tanks and another 300 newly imported tanks are being upgraded and tested before delivery to various armoured regiments of the Bangladesh Army. So far 54 Durjoy Mk I tanks were delivered to the Bangladesh Army.

The newly upgraded Durjoy Mk II is equipped with all-encompassing improved armour from China. The armour is a copy of the Konkant-5 ERA found on Russian built tanks.

Besides it is armed with a 125mm smoothbore main gun capable of firing Refleks anti-tank guided missiles to extend the accuracy, range and firepower against targets. Secondary armaments include a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun with 3,000 rounds and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun with 600 rounds.


The Durjoy is equipped with a 730hp diesel engine allowing it to move at a road speed of almost 50 km/h.

The Durjoy features a XDZ-1 SATCOM and VRC-2000L secure tank radio. Thermal imaging system, ballistic computer, navigation aids and fire suppression systems are also installed.

To enhance crew comfort the Durjoy is fitted with air-conditioning and complete NBC protection.

Chinese engineers are assisting the Bangladesh Army to upgrade the tanks at the 902 Central Workshop at Gazipur. It takes 3 months to completely upgrade Type 59 tanks to the Durjoy Mk I/II standard. After upgrade the combat weight of the tank is 42 tons.

The Durjoy’s AFPSDS round can penetrate over 500mm of RHA at 2km, whereas at the same distance Indian Army’s Arjun can penetrate only 200mm of armour whilst Ukrainian built Oplot MBT can penetrate around 400mm. Both Indian and Ukrainian tanks are several times more expensive than the Durjoy I/II medium tanks.

https://www.defseca.com/defence-ind...jV5U3lGPEtlm0Hy_ioMvflj_Ygeamyx-NkmLiuatZvDt0

http://southasianmonitor.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-army-tests-indigenously-upgraded-durjoy-tanks/

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

K5 isnt armour but ERA, and I doubt China produces a copy of K5. Considering they have developed their own ERA. Even Pak has its own AORAK ERA.

 

[Bilal9]

With a 730hp diesel - this thing should move!

But while moving briskly on straightaways is fine, there is only so much maneuvering you can do with a 60's 5-count road-wheel/suspension design and the ancient T-55 chassis. I hope they made some adjustments to the gearbox to transfer the engine's extra torque to the cogs.

I know The T-55's immediate ancestor was the famous T-34, but tank design has come a long way since then.

Long story short, not worried about the sensors, the gun and the new turret. The chassis is the question mark...

 

[AMG_12]

The Bangladesh Army has been testing the improved Durjoy medium tank, which in turn was originally upgraded from Type 59K tanks. A total of 174 existing tanks and another 300 newly imported tanks are being upgraded and tested before delivery to various armoured regiments of the Bangladesh Army. So far 54 Durjoy Mk I tanks were delivered to the Bangladesh Army.

The newly upgraded Durjoy Mk II is equipped with all-encompassing improved armour from China. The armour is a copy of the Konkant-5 ERA found on Russian built tanks.

Besides it is armed with a 125mm smoothbore main gun capable of firing Refleks anti-tank guided missiles to extend the accuracy, range and firepower against targets. Secondary armaments include a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun with 3,000 rounds and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun with 600 rounds.


The Durjoy is equipped with a 730hp diesel engine allowing it to move at a road speed of almost 50 km/h.

The Durjoy features a XDZ-1 SATCOM and VRC-2000L secure tank radio. Thermal imaging system, ballistic computer, navigation aids and fire suppression systems are also installed.

To enhance crew comfort the Durjoy is fitted with air-conditioning and complete NBC protection.

Chinese engineers are assisting the Bangladesh Army to upgrade the tanks at the 902 Central Workshop at Gazipur. It takes 3 months to completely upgrade Type 59 tanks to the Durjoy Mk I/II standard. After upgrade the combat weight of the tank is 42 tons.

The Durjoy’s AFPSDS round can penetrate over 500mm of RHA at 2km, whereas at the same distance Indian Army’s Arjun can penetrate only 200mm of armour whilst Ukrainian built Oplot MBT can penetrate around 400mm. Both Indian and Ukrainian tanks are several times more expensive than the Durjoy I/II medium tanks.

https://www.defseca.com/defence-ind...jV5U3lGPEtlm0Hy_ioMvflj_Ygeamyx-NkmLiuatZvDt0

http://southasianmonitor.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-army-tests-indigenously-upgraded-durjoy-tanks/

What's the source for the claim that Durjoys AFPSDS penetrate over 500mm RHA vs Oplot and T90

 

[Bilal9]

What's the source for the claim that Durjoys AFPSDS penetrate over 500mm RHA vs Oplot and T90

My understanding is that the turret is that of the Chinese Type 96 and so is the 125mm smoothbore main gun. Apparently the APFSDS penetration claim from so far away is from Chinese claim - repeated by Bangladesh Army sources in a magazine article. That gun is capable of firing ATGM's by the way. I don't think Army magazines in Bangladesh are given to tall claims usually. That said - I have no verification that Bangladesh Army has actually tested APFSDS penetration on RHA from that far away.

This is a Type 96 with cast turret (export designation is Type 85-II)

Type 96A with Welded Turret (Durjoy has this turret based on a Type 59/69 chassis I believe) - export designation for a later Type 96B is VT-2.

I have a question of my own - can Al-Khalid fire ATGM's with its 125mm smoothbore?

 

[Cookie Monster]

My understanding is that the turret is that of the Chinese Type 96 and so is the 125mm smoothbore main gun. Apparently the APFSDS penetration claim from so far away is from Chinese claim - repeated by Bangladesh Army sources in a magazine article. That gun is capable of firing ATGM's by the way. I don't think Army magazines in Bangladesh are given to tall claims usually. That said - I have no verification that Bangladesh Army has actually tested APFSDS penetration on RHA from that far away.

This is a Type 96 with cast turret (export designation is Type 85-II)

Type 96A with Welded Turret (Durjoy has this turret based on a Type 59/69 chassis I believe) - export designation for a later Type 96B is VT-2.

I have a question of my own - can Al-Khalid fire ATGM's with its 125mm smoothbore?

Last I read somewhere on PDF...the main gun of Al-Khalid tank can fire ATGMs. I can't wait for Al-Khalid II to be revealed. It's been in development for far too long now.

How close is this BD upgrade to the Al-Zarrar? in terms of capability? Both are upgrades of the type 59 I think

 

[Bilal9]

Last I read somewhere on PDF...the main gun of Al-Khalid tank can fire ATGMs. I can't wait for Al-Khalid II to be revealed. It's been in development for far too long now.

Side note: How close is this BD upgrade to the Al-Zarrar? in terms of capability?

Not a tank expert so couldn't say...

But checks all the tickboxes pretty nicely spec-wise. Certainly sensor-wise it is up there comparable to Type 96. Real proof will come out after testing.

These need to be tested and shaken out extensively (and modified/improved) so we get our money's worth. Enough has been spent but the skills received via ToT - you can't put a price on it.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Not a tank expert so couldn't say...

But checks all the tickboxes pretty nicely spec-wise. Certainly sensor-wise it is up there comparable to Type 96. Real proof will come out after testing.

These need to be tested and shaken out extensively (and modified/improved) so we get our money's worth. Enough has been spent but the skills received via ToT - you can't put a price on it.

Right...and that's precisely why I wanted to know their capability comparison...
Bcuz what IF the Durjoy is a slight variation of the Al-Zarrar? Pak was trying to export Al-Zarrar to BD and HIT offers the Al-Zarrar upgrade to other nations that operate the Type 59. There was discussion of ToT as well between Pak and BD.

Al-Zarrar also has a 730hp engine(as listed here for Durjoy)...Al-Zarrar can also fire ATGMs from the main gun(125mm). I wanted more detailed comparison if someone has more knowledge regarding this tank upgrade to see if there was some undisclosed cooperation...even if unintentional(I assume the Chinese may have helped Pak along with Ukraine...and since China also helped BD...there may have been some overlap).