fatman17
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Date Posted: 24-Apr-2012
Norinco shows off export version of VT2 MBT
Christopher F Foss - Land Consultant - Kuala Lumpur
The VT2 MBT has been developed by Norinco for the export market and is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun fitted with a fume extractor and thermal sleeve. (Norinco)
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) has released details of its latest export-model VT2 main battle tank (MBT).
The VT2 (also referred to as the Type 96A) is a further development of the Type 85 MBT, which, in addition to being in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has also been exported to a number of customers including Pakistan and Sudan.
The VT2 is fitted with a new computerised fire control system (FCS) that provides the gunner with a dual-axis stabilised day/night sight incorporating a laser rangefinder and automatic target tracker. Norinco officials claim this provides a high first-round hit capability against stationary and moving targets while the VT2 is moving.
Main armament comprises the Type 85's 125 mm smoothbore gun, which is fed by an automatic loader. A total of 40 rounds are carried and it is assumed that it can fire the Norinco 125 mm laser-guided projectile.
A 7.62 mm machine gun (MG) is mounted co-axial with the main armament and there is a 12.7 mm MG mounted on the roof with a bank of six grenade launchers on either side of the turret.
The baseline VT2 has a higher level of protection than the Type 85 MBT: the hull and turret are welded steel armour to which an additional layer of composite or explosive reactive armour is added.
The VT2 has a combat weight of 42.8 tonnes and is powered by a V-12 diesel developing 800 hp coupled to a manual transmission that gives a power-to-weight ratio of 18.7 hp/tonne and a maximum speed of 59 km/h.
Standard equipment includes a fire and explosives detection and suppression system, an NBC system and additional fuel drums that are located at the rear of the hull to extend operational range to 500 km.
The most recent MBT to enter Chinese service is the Type 99, which has yet to be marketed overseas. It has been deployed in PLA service in several enhanced configurations: for trials purposes at least one Type 99A2 MBT has been fitted with a hard-kill active defence system.
For the export market China has developed a scaled-down version of the Type 99 - referred to as the VT1A. A batch of five vehicles has been delivered to Peru for trials while Morocco has received about 150 units. The VT1A has a combat weight of around 49 tonnes and is powered by a 1,200 hp diesel engine.
Norinco shows off export version of VT2 MBT
Christopher F Foss - Land Consultant - Kuala Lumpur
The VT2 MBT has been developed by Norinco for the export market and is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun fitted with a fume extractor and thermal sleeve. (Norinco)
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) has released details of its latest export-model VT2 main battle tank (MBT).
The VT2 (also referred to as the Type 96A) is a further development of the Type 85 MBT, which, in addition to being in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has also been exported to a number of customers including Pakistan and Sudan.
The VT2 is fitted with a new computerised fire control system (FCS) that provides the gunner with a dual-axis stabilised day/night sight incorporating a laser rangefinder and automatic target tracker. Norinco officials claim this provides a high first-round hit capability against stationary and moving targets while the VT2 is moving.
Main armament comprises the Type 85's 125 mm smoothbore gun, which is fed by an automatic loader. A total of 40 rounds are carried and it is assumed that it can fire the Norinco 125 mm laser-guided projectile.
A 7.62 mm machine gun (MG) is mounted co-axial with the main armament and there is a 12.7 mm MG mounted on the roof with a bank of six grenade launchers on either side of the turret.
The baseline VT2 has a higher level of protection than the Type 85 MBT: the hull and turret are welded steel armour to which an additional layer of composite or explosive reactive armour is added.
The VT2 has a combat weight of 42.8 tonnes and is powered by a V-12 diesel developing 800 hp coupled to a manual transmission that gives a power-to-weight ratio of 18.7 hp/tonne and a maximum speed of 59 km/h.
Standard equipment includes a fire and explosives detection and suppression system, an NBC system and additional fuel drums that are located at the rear of the hull to extend operational range to 500 km.
The most recent MBT to enter Chinese service is the Type 99, which has yet to be marketed overseas. It has been deployed in PLA service in several enhanced configurations: for trials purposes at least one Type 99A2 MBT has been fitted with a hard-kill active defence system.
For the export market China has developed a scaled-down version of the Type 99 - referred to as the VT1A. A batch of five vehicles has been delivered to Peru for trials while Morocco has received about 150 units. The VT1A has a combat weight of around 49 tonnes and is powered by a 1,200 hp diesel engine.
