Pakistan to acquire China's VT-4 main battle tank: expert
The VT-4 main battle tank. (Internet photo)
China has agreed to Pakistan's request to purchase China North Industries Corporation's VT-4, the export version of China's MBT-3000 main battle tank, military expert Song Zhongping told Beijing Television in an interview on Nov. 19.
Pakistan urgently needs a more modern tank like the VT-4 after its chief rival India introduced the T-90 main battle tank from Russia, also gaining the license to manufacture its own T-90s, according to Song.
Song said the VT-4 is better than the T-90 in mobility, firepower and defensive capability and it would be best for Pakistan to introduce a production line for the tank to meet the challenge from India.
Song said he was stunned by the design of VT-4 when he saw the tank for the first time. He said that the tank has explosive reactive armor like most advanced tanks produced by the United States and Russia. Furthermore, the tank's 125mm smooth bore gun is currently the largest tank gun anywhere in the world. Song said the VT-4 can do anything other main battle tanks can do and the model will serve Pakistan's armed forces well.