Pakistan Army's VT-4 Main Battle Tank | Updates & Discussions

[iLION12345_1]

As far as I understand, Al Khalid has four reverse gears? Can the speed of its movement be reversed to be comparable to the BM Oplot? And to be about 31.3 kp/h?

View attachment 773203

Yes, Al-Khalid has the same power pack and transmission as the BM-Oplot, but Al-Khalid can reverse slightly faster than BM oplot as the oplot is heavier. I’ve personally seen it reverse at about 33KPH speed. So I will assume it’s max speed in reverse is somewhere around 33 KPH. Minor differences are expected given terrain and gradient as well as vehicle weight and load.

 

[HRK]

So I will assume it’s max speed in reverse is somewhere around 33 KPH.

long time back I read somewhere that max reverse speed is 35 km/h

 

[iLION12345_1]

long time back I read somewhere that max reverse speed is 35 km/h

Yep, must have been in the Al-Khalid information pool on this forum, I’ve read it too. It actually had the speeds for each individual gear but I’m not sure what their source for it is, it’s entirely possible it can be 35 too but I find it a little high because of two things;
1.The speed is usually limited due to the gear ratios and not the weight, weight can have some effect but not that much, if it’s maxing out around 31 for BM Oplot then 32-33 may be more realistic for AK.
2. in this transmission, there is one dedicated reverse gear, and then the first three forward gears can be converted to reverse gears when high speed reverse is needed, going by the top speeds of these forward gears, about 32KPH seems to be more realistic, but again, that was measured on a much heavier BM Oplot.

Regardless, any sort of reverse speed above 20-25 KPH is decent, 32+ is extremely fast for reverse, only some of the best western tanks can match it, and up until the T14 (and some T90MS equipped with new transmissions) no Russian origins tank can match it as far as I know, in-fact this is one of the well known weaknesses of some of those tanks. Their extremely low reverse speeds (only 1 gear, or if two, then shorter ratios). Hence if they need to retreat to cover they will often have to turn the tank around and then run to cover instead of just reversing.

 

[DeusExAstra]

and some T90MS equipped with new transmissions

In general, the issue of installing a new transmission on the T-90M is quite.....complicated, I suppose. According to my sources, all "new transmission" is completely about robotic gears shiftig (and that's questionable), so the speed of reverse of the T-90M remains the same

Spoiler: About reverse of T-90M

Передача	З.Х (that means "reverse")	I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
Включаемые ФУ	Ф3, Ф5	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....
і БКП	14.35	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....
V max (kp/h)	4.22	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....

 

[bananarepublic]

Someone on this thread had mentioned that the Pakistan army wanted the locally made 125mm gun(ZPT-98?) on VT-4.
If so, are the guns being manufactured in Pakistan then sent to China for installation or are they installed in Pakistan.

 

[iLION12345_1]

Someone on this thread had mentioned that the Pakistan army wanted the locally made 125mm gun(ZPT-98?) on VT-4.
If so, are the guns being manufactured in Pakistan then sent to China for installation or are they installed in Pakistan.

ZPT-98 is the chinese 125MM the gun found on all chinese tanks except ZTZ-99A. it originally also equipped the VT-4. But Pakistan did not like the gun as it cannot be removed from the front due to being permanently joined to the Breech block. Instead Pakistan wanted to use its own guns on it, the ones also used in the Al-Khalid. They are a combination of the Ukrainian/Russian KBA-3/2A46-M and Chinese ZPT-98 designs, combining both their features.
During testing these barrels were present on our VT-4s. It is unclear Wether Pakistan is making these barrels (and perhaps even other parts for VT-4, As partial TOT was offered and will be used to put VT-4 tech on AK) or Wether these different barrels are being made and equipped on the tank in China. Regardless, the barrels are of the Pakistani design to allow them to be front removable.

In general, the issue of installing a new transmission on the T-90M is quite.....complicated, I suppose. According to my sources, all "new transmission" is completely about robotic gears shiftig (and that's questionable), so the speed of reverse of the T-90M remains the same

Spoiler: About reverse of T-90M

Передача	З.Х (that means "reverse")	I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
Включаемые ФУ	Ф3, Ф5	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....
і БКП	14.35	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....
V max (kp/h)	4.22	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....	.....

Yes I have been loosely following this news, there was a lot of ambiguity on its gearbox, i believe some are also saying it’s not automatic at all but semi-automatic, assisted by a “robotized” system. But did Russia make a new automatic transmission that is supposed to have higher speeds? but afaik it’s not present on production models so far.
excuse me if I may be wrong about any of this though, I have not followed Russian tank development recently. (I love how the T90M looks thought, very cool)

 

[DeusExAstra]

Yes I have been loosely following this news, there was a lot of ambiguity on its gearbox, i believe some are also saying it’s not automatic at all but semi-automatic, assisted by a “robotized” system. But did Russia make a new automatic transmission that is supposed to have higher speeds?

Unfortunately, I am not so aware of the domestic tanks))))) As far as I know, new transmissions could be made and installed up with new engines like A-series (like at one of Object 187 prototypes). So, I suppose, new revers is completely about T-14 and others, not about T-72's or T-90's modifications series even with B-92's engines

 

[Dazzler]

As far as I understand, Al Khalid has four reverse gears? Can the speed of its movement be reversed to be comparable to the BM Oplot? And to be about 31.3 kp/h?

View attachment 773203

Both mbts use the same engine transmission. 7F4R

 

[Abid123]

Is it China's best tank? How does it compare to the Type 99A?

 

[zhxy]

Is it China's best tank? How does it compare to the Type 99A?

1. Ergonomics: VT-4 is better than Type-99A.
2. Electronic system: VT-4 is more modern than Type-99A. I think if China updated Type99A, the two tanks would be similar, but the current system of the Type-99A are enough, they don't need to upgrade.
3. APS and automatic guns: VT-4 is equipped (if customers need and pay extra). Type-99A not equipped (Chinese tank doctrine)
4. Front armor: Type-99A has thicker front armor than VT-4
5. Armor-piercing bullets: Type-99A is designed for tank-to-tank combat so it is equipped with powerful armor-piercing bullets.
6. Speed and maneuverability: Type-99A has a stronger engine, but its weight is also large VT-4, so the speed and maneuverability of the two vehicles are not much different.

 

[iLION12345_1]

Is it China's best tank? How does it compare to the Type 99A?

1. Ergonomics: VT-4 is better than Type-99A.
2. Electronic system: VT-4 is more modern than Type-99A. I think if China updated Type99A, the two tanks would be similar, but the current system of the Type-99A are enough, they don't need to upgrade.
3. APS and automatic guns: VT-4 is equipped (if customers need and pay extra). Type-99A not equipped (Chinese tank doctrine)
4. Front armor: Type-99A has thicker front armor than VT-4
5. Armor-piercing bullets: Type-99A is designed for tank-to-tank combat so it is equipped with powerful armor-piercing bullets.
6. Speed and maneuverability: Type-99A has a stronger engine, but its weight is also large VT-4, so the speed and maneuverability of the two vehicles are not much different.

I agree with 1 and 2. Type 99A is due for an upgrade and it will be getting the electrical and C4I upgrades that VT-4P has. The regular VT-4 is comparable to 99A, but VT-4P is upgraded in this regard.

As for point 3, Type 99 and 99A all have APS, but 99A doesn’t have a hard kill APS like VT-4s Optional GL-5 APS (The normal 99 did). VT-4s Hard kill APS however would be superior to what the Type 99 has, and it’s true that Chinese tanks don’t use Remote weapon systems as per doctrine (makes little sense to be fair…)

I agree with point 4, 99A has thicker armor all around than VT-4, it’s a heavier and bigger tank, however VT-4P with its FY4 ERA and roof coverage does have better protection than standard VT-4P. Another major advantage in this regard is the design of the Type 99 and 99A, it’s basic design is much better than VT-4P in regards to lower front plate and frontal arc.

For Point 5, Yes, type 99A specifically gets new Chinese APFSDS which has better performance than BTA-4, this is also because it has a bigger gun that can Accommodate that round. VT-4P should easily be able to fire better ammunition too but given Pakistans adversary’s armor, it isn’t needed. BTA-4 is more than enough.

For point 6, 99A has a stronger engine than Basic VT-4, Pakistani VT-4P has the same 1500HP engine as Type 99A, hence is more maneuverable than 99A owing to its lighter weight (keep in mind 99A itself is very quick).

For an overall Comparison, I’d say Type 99A is much better than a basic VT-4 but just falls slightly short of a VT4P. but that’s only because the 99A itself is getting old, I’m sure the next iteration of it will add all the things it’s missing and owing to its size (increased armor) and larger gun it will again easily surpass the VT-4P.

That being said, they are both very good tanks for different purposes and doctrines, they both have their strengths and weaknesses, in their specific roles one is not better than the other.

 

[DeusExAstra]

Is it China's best tank? How does it compare to the Type 99A?

In my opionion, there're at least two advantages for ZTZ99A:
1) Better armor layout both in front of hull and of turret
2) Better APFSDS round (Phase III - DTC-10-125). It provides 680mm/2km with muzzle velocity of 1800 m/s andwith an estimated drop of speed per kilometer of about 3.1-3.5% (which means 1670-1690 m/s at 2 km). As far as I understand, it's about LOS thickness, so we may talk about approximately 250mm at 68,5 degrees, which means 340mm/60 degrees at 2km. I do not know how much these specs are credible, since, first of all, I don't know the specs of target, and, the second is, it could be used in standard autoloader (690mm full length of shell), meanwile even 3BM60 requires new widened autoloader

 

[Dreamer.]

Another major advantage in this regard is the design of the Type 99 and 99A, it’s basic design is much better than VT-4P in regards to lower front plate and frontal arc.

Why doesn't PA go for a tank with this type of design then? All our AlKhalids and now VT-4 have similar design. Why not go for a better design, especially when it shouldn't be too difficult also?


P.S. Is VT-4P an official designation or just a PDF one?

 

[Beast]

Why doesn't PA go for a tank with this type of design then? All our AlKhalids and now VT-4 have similar design. Why not go for a better design, especially when it shouldn't be too difficult also?


P.S. Is VT-4P an official designation or just a PDF one?

Becos Type99A are not allow to be exported.

 

[Foinikas]

It's a beautiful tank. And I think it was much needed in the Pakistan Army,to bolster the Armored forces. Until Al Khalid II comes out in full production,you could buy one more model tank type either from the Chinese or maybe...well I guess Americans aren't selling anything to you when it comes to that,but what about masses of CV-90s?