Pindad eyes Bangladesh, Philippines for tank export

[UKBengali]

BD should not buy this Tank unless it can knock out the next generation of Indian Tanks.

 

[Indos]

BD should not buy this Tank unless it can knock out the next generation of Indian Tanks.

The turret can launch falarick 105 anti tank guided missile.

"With its laser beam guidance system, the Falarick 105 is able to wipe out fixed & moving armoured targets, helicopters and fortifications at a distance of 5 kilometres. Its tandem hollow-charged warhead allows it to destroy targets under 550 mm of armour and behind ERA or their equivalent."

 

[UKBengali]

The turret can launch falarick 105 anti tank guided missile.

"With its laser beam guidance system, the Falarick 105 is able to wipe out fixed & moving armoured targets, helicopters and fortifications at a distance of 5 kilometres. Its tandem hollow-charged warhead allows it to destroy targets under 550 mm of armour and behind ERA or their equivalent."

OK. Still would prefer a 120 or 125mm main gun.

 

[The Ronin]

The turret can launch falarick 105 anti tank guided missile.

Whoa!! That's a new info. Can it be fitted with a RWS armed with 7.62/12.7mm gun on the turret??

OK. Still would prefer a 120 or 125mm main gun.

Every light medium tank is fitted with 105mm main gun nowadays.

@Michael Corleone can you give a comparison between Kaplan MT and VT-5?? Which one is better?? Specially want to know about protection level. can't find anything on vt-5.

BD should not buy this Tank unless it can knock out the next generation of Indian Tanks.

And i doubt this or VT-5 tank will face Indian medium tanks like T-72 as MBT-2000 is deployed in northern BD.

These will be procured for Ramu cantonment.

 

[Indos]

Whoa!! That's a new info. Can it be fitted with a RWS armed with 7.62/12.7mm gun on the turret??


@Michael Corleone can you give a comparison between Kaplan MT and VT-5?? Which one is better?? Specially want to know about protection level.

I dont know, maybe, there is still space on the turret for such weapon, but I think machine gun is enough, you can target the enemy inside the tank, no need RWS I guess

For the protection part, it depends on the customers, the tank can add more armor since it is design for that, but it will add the weight as well.

@UKBengali Today 105 ammunition is different with older 105 ammunition, the ammunition is more deathly.

 

[bluesky]

Indonesia plans to have 100 of this medium tanks

Thanks. Impressive. But, actually, I wanted to see the tank moving through irrigated paddy fields to understand how it behaves in the softer marshy soil. In the real-time war, tanks do not really move on the asphalt roads. They have to spread out over the surrounding soft terrains of a battlefield, especially in the case of BD border regions.

However, its weight at around 33 ton seems to be ideal only if the tank tracks are a little wider than normal. A wider track lowers the per sq. ft. load/pressure on the land.

 

[Nike]

BD should not buy this Tank unless it can knock out the next generation of Indian Tanks.

just trying to sale, not forced you to do

The decission is up to Bd Army Higher ups and related gov. Official not some random poster on PDF

 

[Bilal9]

Need more details on the engine and drivetrain. And how heavy this is. Looks like a modern analog to the French AMX 13 (13 ton) tank used by the Indians in the battle of Asal Uttar which they claimed victory on.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMX-13#India

This tank looks good. Given the terrain in BD, such light tanks could be very handy with high agility. Would absolutely be interested in buying a few if it meets our doctrine.

Exactly. Does our doctrine even call for a medium tank in the weight range of this tank and fits the armament capabilities contained in this platform?

Also - is amphibious capability called for and is this tank capable of fording smaller canals?

 

[bluesky]

just trying to sale, not forced you to do

The decission is up to Bd Army Higher ups and related gov. Official not some random poster on PDF

But, here we can see the brat and shameless @UKBengali decides everything unilaterally.

 

[The Ronin]

Need more details on the engine and drivetrain.

Also - is amphibious capability called for and is this tank capable of fording smaller canals?

Read the previous thread.

 

[Michael Corleone]

@Michael Corleone can you give a comparison between Kaplan MT and VT-5?? Which one is better?? Specially want to know about protection level. can't find anything on vt-5.

VT-5

Country of origin China
Crew 3 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 33 - 36 t
Length (gun forward) 9.2 m
Hull length ~ 7.5 m
Width 3.3 m
Height (turret roof) 2.5 m
Armament
Main gun 105 mm rifled
Machine guns 1 x 12.7 mm, 1 x 7.62 mm
Grenade launcher 1 x 40 mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 38 rounds
Mobility
Engine FX0012 diesel
Engine power 1 000 hp
Maximum road speed 70 km/h
Range 450 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.85 m
Trench 2.7 m
Fording 1.1 m

developed as a successor for the ageing type 62 light tanks, according to NORINCO it was developed exclusively for export.
Mobility is the key factor of this new machine. It is intended mainly for reconnaissance and infantry support operations. It can operate in terrains such as mountainous areas, jungles and river regions, that are not accessible to heavier main battle tanks. It might be also used by airborne troops. Development of this new tank shows the high level of resources China is devoting towards its offensive capabilities.
The VT5 has a welded armored hull and turret, reportedly made of steel armor. The tank is also fitted with add-on armor kit. It can be either passive composite armor, or explosive reactive armor. Some areas of the VT5 tank are covered with cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank missiles and rockets. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted as standard. The tank weights 33-36 t, depending on armor package. Various armor configurations were observed.

There is also a passive protection system with a laser detector. It triggers smoke grenade dischargers once the tank is illuminated by a laser beam. This system reduces the chance of being hit by anti-tank missiles with laser guidance.


This new Chinese tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 105 mm rifled gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition. The gun it has got an automatic bustle-mounted ammunition loading system, which allowed to reduce the crew to 3 men. Also smaller crew allowed to reduce overall dimension of the tank, making it a smaller target on the battlefield. The VT5 has got an effective firing range of 3 km. With APFSDS round can penetrate up to 500 mm of rolled homogenous armor. Such penetration capabilities are not sufficient to defeat modern main battle tanks over the front arc. However the VT5 can also launch 105 mm anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These extend the effective range to up to 5 km and hit probability of over 90% against stationary targets. Furthermore the missiles have tandem HEAT warheads and pose serious threat to main battle tanks, and can even target low-flying helicopters. Also there are ordinary HEAT and HE rounds for use against light armored vehicles, buildings and field fortifications.

A total of 38 rounds and missiles are carried for the main gun. Spent cases are automatically ejected via a hatch at the rear of the turret.

Secondary armament consists of a remotely-controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. There is also a provision for coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

The VT5 has got a modern fire control system. It includes laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, wind sensor, gunner's thermal sight and commander's panoramic sight with thermal vision. Thermal vision allows to engage targets at night and during adverse weather conditions.

This light tank has got a hunter-killer engagement capability, which is present on all modern main battle tanks. Commander uses his panoramic sight to search for targets. Once the target is selected the gun is laid on the target automatically and the gunner completes al the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target.

The tank is fitted with a navigation, satellite communication and battlefield management systems.

The VT5 is operated by a crew of 3, including commander, gunner, and driver. Crew seating is standard for modern tanks. The driver is seated at the center of the hull. Commander and gunner are seated in the turret.

This new Chinese tank is powered by an FX0012 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The engine is mounted at the rear of the hull. It is mated to a fully-automatic transmission. The VT5 is a very nimble vehicle. The tank has got steel tracks with optional rubber pads. Maximum range on fuel is 450 km, though it can be extended to around 650 km by mounting external fuel tanks.

Due to its light weight the VT5 is much more mobile than main battle tanks, such as type 96 and type99. It can be used in mountainous areas that are not accessible to main battle tanks. For example the Indian t72 or t90 main battle tanks can not go high in to the mountains. At high altitudes air becomes thin and their engines start to loose power. So high in the mountains the new Chinese tank should not encounter any heavily-armored opponents.

This new tank is air transportable. It can be airlifted by military cargo aircraft. It is possible that this tank can be paradropped. A hydropneumatic suspension with adjustable ground clearance was present on prototypes. However it is unclear it if made to production. Most possible customers of the VT5 have no requirement for a paradroppable combat vehicle.

The tank is not amphibious. It is worth noting that Chinese marines operate a ZBD2000 amphibious tank, that was specially designed for high-speed swimming and is also armed with a 105 mm gun. Though both of these tanks are totally different. There were no intentions to simplify servicing and maintenance by using interchangeable components.

IHO, i don't think these are meant to fight off armor but play an offensive role against infantry and artillery...

KAPLAN MT Modern Medium-Weight Tank

VEHICLE TYPE
Medium-weight tank
DEVELOPERS
FNSS and PT Pindad
CREW
Three
MAXIMUM SPEED
70km/h
RANGE
450km
KAPLAN MT design and features
The layout of the Kaplan MT tank resembles a standard MBT with the driver at the centre of forward hull, turret in the middle and crew, as well as power-pack at the rear of the hull.

The interior has been designed with major emphasis on crew ergonomics and various tactical and battlefield conditions such as driving, firing and loading / off-loading of ammunition. The driver’s position offers an enhanced field of view and convenient access to control panel and driving instruments.

Crew enter / exit the vehicle through single-piece hatch covers mounted on the roof of the hull. The gunner and commander are provided with sighting systems for observation during the day / night, while the commander’s position is installed with a panoramic sight.

The KAPLAN MT is also equipped with a battlefield management system (BMS), a wireless crew intercom system, a navigation system and an automatic fire extinguishing system.

Armament aboard the medium-weight tank
The tank is fitted with CMI Cockerill 3105 turret mounting a Cockerill 105mm high-pressure gun. The lightweight gun features an advanced autoloader to deliver rapid fire-power.

The 105mm gun can fire NATO-standard 105mm ammunition and can engage targets at a maximum distance of 10km. The secondary weapon system includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun mounted to the left side of the main gun.

Self-protection features of KAPLAN MT
The MMWT provides STANAG 4569 Level 4 ballistic protection against 14.5mm armoured projectiles and 155mm shell splinters. It can withstand the explosion of 10kg TNT under the track and bottom of the hull.

The tank can be hinged with add-on armour to increase the protection to STANAG 4569 Level 5 to sustain damage from 25mm armour piercing discarding sabot-tracer (APDS-T) rounds.

The KAPLAN MT is also fitted with smoke grenade dischargers, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection system and a laser warning system for increased survivability against hostile threats.

Engine and mobility
The vehicle is powered by a new-generation diesel engine coupled to a fully automatic electronic controlled transmission. It offers a power-to-weight ratio of 20hp/t, based on the configuration of protection system. The fuel is supplied from two separate fuel tanks.

The power-pack is equipped with a cooling pack integrating an intelligent software-controlled hydraulic fan for improved torque and fuel economy. The auxiliary power unit aboard the tank will enable the operation of turret without the need for power from the engine. The advanced battery monitoring system further enables optimum power management.

The anti-shock suspension system of KAPLAN MT features torsion bars with double pinned tracks offering high mobility on both urban environments and cross country conditions. Each side of the track includes six dual rubber-tired road wheels with the forward drive sprocket, idler and track-return rollers. The vehicle can operate in extreme temperatures ranging between -32°C and 55°C.

The tank has a maximum road speed of 70km/h and a minimum operating range of 450km. It can negotiate a gradient and side slopes of 60% and 30% respectively. It can climb a vertical obstacle of 0.9m and can cross a trench of 2m.

these tanks reminds me of the AMX autoloaders in the 50s 60s
i would select the chinese options over the indonesian one

 

[Michael Corleone]

Need more details on the engine and drivetrain. And how heavy this is. Looks like a modern analog to the French AMX 13 (13 ton) tank used by the Indians in the battle of Asal Uttar which they claimed victory on.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMX-13#India

Exactly. Does our doctrine even call for a medium tank in the weight range of this tank and fits the armament capabilities contained in this platform?

Also - is amphibious capability called for and is this tank capable of fording smaller canals?

the frenchie with good crew is amazing.... unfortunately indians lost a lot of these in the war... some are even kept in pakistan... i think i saw one in bd.... i don;t remember where

 

[Bilal9]

the frenchie with good crew is amazing.... unfortunately indians lost a lot of these in the war... some are even kept in pakistan... i think i saw one in bd.... i don;t remember where

Yeah the French had two famous tanks back in the day, the AMX-13 (13 ton) and the AMX-30 (30 ton), both were quite effective in their weight class and popular exports to the Middle East Armies. Unfortunately we don't have a modern AMX-13 made, who knows how good the PINDAD platform will be and needs really to be proven in actual combat.

Some British modern light tanks with actual combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan that could be built locally with ToT. Of course a 105/125mm Turret needs to be added.

CRV(T)The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) are the standard light tanks and specialized vehicles built by Alvis in the 1970s (592) now ageing and modernized or pending replacement. The family comprises the FV107 Scimitar (recce), FV103 Spartan (APC), FV104 Samaritan (medevac), FV105 Sultan (command), and FV106 Samson (ARV).

BAE StormerThis family of specialized vehicles comprised 62 Starstreak HVM SPAAML (22 more in storage), but also 29 “flatbed” versions with the Shielder minelaying system. The Stormer 30 recce (also based on the same chassis) vehicle is currently in final development phase to replace the CRV(T) family.

 

[bluesky]

OK. Still would prefer a 120 or 125mm main gun.

It is a medium tank with 30-ton weight fitted with 105-mm gun. Buy tanks with 45-60 ton, you will get 120 mm main gun. But, do you think a heavy tank can move in the soft terrain in our border region or inside the country?

 

[Bilal9]

Continuing in the theme above,

We could buy some of these as refurbished recce tanks for almost nothing from the Irish and other forces.

The Indonesian Army interestingly also use Scorpions.

FV101 Scorpion in Irish Service
By Mark Nash On June 7, 2018
Republic of Ireland (1980)
Light Tank – 14 Purchased

In the late 1970s, the Irish Cavalry Cavalry Corps (Irish: An Cór Marcra) decided to retire their small fleet of Comet tanks purchased from Great Britain in 1958. These Second World War tanks had served well with the Cavalry corps, but by this point were on their last legs with constant breakdowns and a lack of spare parts. A replacement was required that shared the same qualities; mobility and firepower.

In the early 1980s, such a replacement was soon found in the shape of the compact, highly mobile and air-deployable light tank, the British FV101 Scorpion CVR(T). The Scorpion would be the first tracked vehicles purchased by the Defence Forces of Ireland (IDF. Irish: Fórsaí Cosanta, officially: Óglaigh na hÉireann) since those Comets some twenty years prior. They became the last tracked vehicles in operation, and also the last vehicles to be bought from Great Britain.

Scorpion in training on the Glen of Imaal. It is an earlier example, signified by the .50 Caliber machine gun mounted on the roof. Photo: Getty

The FV101 Scorpion
The officially named FV101 Scorpion Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (Tracked) was designed by the Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd in the early 1960s. After a long trial period, the Scorpion entered service with the British Army in 1970. It was a three-man tank, with a crew consisting of a Driver, a Gunner, and a Commander.

Mobility was the Scorpion’s strong point. It was powered by the 4.2 litre, 6-cylinder, Jaguar J60 petrol engine. Usually, this engine produced 269 hp but was de-rated down to 198 hp for military use. This power plant could propel the tank to a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). This top speed allowed the tank to gain a Guinness world record for the fastest production tank (It was recorded doing 51.10 mph (82.23 km/h) at a test track on the 26th of January 2002). It used a ‘flat track’ suspension (track return supported by road wheels, as used on tanks such as the Soviet T-54) with five road-wheels. The idler wheel was at the rear while the drive sprocket was at the front.

For a small tank, the Scorpion’s armament was rather potent and consisted of the Royal Ordnance 76mm L23A1 Gun. This gun could fire a range of ammunition including HESH (High-Explosive Squash Head) and Canister. Secondary armament consisted of a coaxial 7.62 machine gun. Maximum armor thickness was 12.7 mm (0.5 in).

Although removed from service in the British Army in the late 1990s, the Scorpion and its variants remain in service across the globe. It can also be found in the arsenals of Bolivia, Indonesia, Chile, Thailand, and many others.

Irish Service
The Scorpion’s small size, good speed, and a relatively potent gun made it an attractive vehicle for the Irish Defence Forces’ Cavalry Corps. Subsequently, the Irish Military purchased a total of 14 of the tanks between March 1980 and December 1985. The numbers were thus: 4 in 1980, 4 in 1981, 4 in 1982, 2 in 1985.

The Scorpions were delivered in their standard British configuration armed with the 76mm L23A1 and equipped with wading gear that was soon removed. The 76mm gun proved to be somewhat of a problem as there was no fume extractor. When the gun was fired the turret compartment would fill with smoke and fumes. Should the gun be fired with turret closed down, the effect was even worse. One way the British and other armies dealt with this was by removing the 76mm turret and replacing it with the turret of the FV107 Scimitar armed with the 30mm Rarden Cannon. The Irish Military, on the other hand, wanted to keep the larger caliber 76mm. As such, they developed their own fume extraction system (FES) which kept the tank safe to operate.

Scorpions conducting a night shoot on the Glen of Imaal. Photo: IDF Archives

Scorpions assigned as Troop Commander’s tanks were originally equipped with a .50 Cal Browning M2HB heavy machine gun on a pintle mount upon the turret roof. These were later replaced with a 7.62 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) as the .50 increased the silhouette of the Scorpion.

The Scorpions entered service with the 1st Tank Squadron in March 1980 and were used primarily in an armored reconnaissance role. This is the combination of infantry based recon with the support of armor. The FV101s remained part of this squadron until 1998, when the 1st Tank Squadron ceased to be a separate body, and became a part of the 1st Armored Cavalry Squadron (1 ACS). They were based at Curragh Camp, Kildare.

A standard camouflage pattern of black, brown and green was applied to the tanks, including the wheels in some cases. Unit markings were applied to the mantle on the right of 76mm barrel.

Over the course of their service, the Scorpions have taken part in many training exercises at the Glen of Imaal (Irish: Gleann Uí Mháil), in the Wicklow Mountains. 5,948 acres of the Glen has been used as an artillery and gunnery range since 1900. The vehicles also took part in a number of public and military parades.

In 2004, Seven Scorpion tanks were stationed as a ‘Guard of Honour’ at Shannon Airport, County Clare for a visit by the then serving US president, George W. Bush.

Irish FV101 Scorpion, showing the camo pattern that included coverage of the road wheels. Illustration by Tank Enyclopedia’s own AmazingAce, based on work by David Bocquelet.

Modernized FV107 Spartan/Scimitar hybrid with BAR armour as of 2010, Iraq.

Fate
The Scorpions stayed in service for 37 years, only being stood down in 2017. The role of the tank has largely been taken over by Ireland’s main armored vehicle, the wheeled 8×8 MOWAG Piranha IIIH, 80 of which have been in service since 2001.

Irish Scorpion taking part in a military display in June 2007, it is parked next to its successor, the Piranha III. Note the two-tone camo on the road wheels. Photo: Paul McMenamin

A Scorpion taking part in an Easter Sunday parade in 2016. Photo: William Murphy

An article by Mark Nash
FV-101 specifications
Dimensions (L-W-H) 15’7″ x 7’3″ x 6’9″ ft.in
(4.79m x 2.23m x 2.10m)
Total weight, battle ready 8.07 tons (17 800 ibs)
Crew 3 (Driver, commander, gunner)
Propulsion Cummins BTA 5.9-litre (diesel) 190 hp (140 kW) – pwr 22,9 hp/t
Suspension Independant torsion bars
Speed (road) 45 mph (72,5 kph)
Range 470 mi (756 km)
Armament Main : ROF 76mm L23A1
Sec. coaxial 7.62mm GPMG
Armor 12.7 mm front and sides (0.5 in)
Total purchased 14.

Swingfire - an earlier missile launcher variant. The UK Army later standardized in Javelins for this platform.