Two Army choppers to come from Eurocopter (France)

[bd_4_ever]

Bangladesh Eyes China Arms


China has again underlined its strategic influence in what India might once have considered its own backyard, with the announcement of the latest in a string of arms sales to Bangladesh.

Dhaka is procuring 44 Chinese MBT-2000s main battle tanks, Bangladeshi media have reported, for around $162 million. This represents a significant purchase for a country with a 2011 defence budget of $1.6 billion, and it’s the first time that Bangladesh has obtained newly assembled MBTs. The army currently has an inventory of around 200 older Chinese tanks, which have been upgraded with Beijing’s assistance to keep them in service. One of China’s other key regional allies, Pakistan, also operates the MBT-2000.

China isn’t the sole supplier of military equipment to Dhaka, which has also sourced military technology (most of it second hand) from Italy, Russia, South Korea, the UK and the United States in recent years, while announcing the purchase of two new army helicopters from French firm Eurocopter alongside the MBT purchase. But Beijing has established itself as Bangladesh’s go-to ally when it comes to military procurement, and stands to be the main beneficiary as Bangladesh attempts to refurbish its army, navy and air force in spite of budgetary constraints. China has supplied armoured personnel carriers, fighter aircraft and frigates to Bangladesh within the last couple of years.


Dhaka’s limited defence funds mean that arms sales have more strategic than economic value from China’s perspective. Beijing is already bankrolling the construction of a deep-water port at Sonadia, near Cox’s Bazar, where the Bangladeshi government is also constructing an advanced air base to help it protect its offshore interests in the Bay of Bengal. China is working on similar commercial port projects in Burma, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in what has been widely interpreted as a robust strategic challenge to Indian influence in the South Asian region.

Bangladesh’s growing dependence on Chinese weapon systems could also see the country become the first export customer after Pakistan for the Chinese-built FC-1/JF-17 and FC-20/J-10 fighter aircraft, both of which were built by China with foreign sales in mind. Beijing will be lobbying hard for Dhaka to agree to procure the jets – perhaps even offering loans to make the procurement happen – in order to give its export models some early traction.

The second-hand submarine that Bangladesh is seeking in order to further safeguard its offshore assets is also likely to be sourced from China. Despite an interest in contributing more fully to international peace-keeping missions, the protection of those offshore energy resources in the face of competition from India and Burma is Bangladesh’s prime motivation. Close ties with China will also benefit the country in its local rivalry with Burma, another Chinese ally but one that Beijing regards as more problematic than the Bangladeshis. The protection of its sometimes restive border with Burma – which also operates Chinese tanks, though not the new MBT-2000 – will be one of the main contingencies for Bangladesh’s newly procured armour.

Bangladesh Eyes China Arms | Flashpoints

 

[TopCat]

Go China Go..

 

[integra]

Good news, but funny how every nation
paints their domestic news in such a manner
that makes them look divine and ultimate.

First of all the number of tanks quoted is wrong.
And no, second hand subs are not being considered
right now. Theres a high chance of getting those from
Turks.

Beijing will be lobbying hard for Dhaka to agree to procure the jets – perhaps even offering loans to make the procurement happen

What? I thought we were eager to get them anyways

 

[Mani2020]

Which choppers are coming form Eurocopter?

 

[kobiraaz]

Which choppers are coming form Eurocopter?

simple utility helicopter for the ground force.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Two helicopters?

Must be for VIP movement.

Two helicopters would just about lift a section worth with battle loads and so it, as far as I can fathom, cannot be for troop movement.

 

[Zabaniyah]

Probably something like this:

Eurocopter EC175

But, this is just speculation since they haven't mentioned the type of helicopter.

But here is the MBT-2000:

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

The existence of the main battle tank Type 90-II MBT (also called MBT 2000) was first revealed in late 1991. The Type 90-II is designed and manufactured by the Chinese Company NORINCO. The Type 90-II MBT was also much heavier than previous Chinese-made MBTs, suggesting a transformation of design principles in the Chinese tanks. The tank received extensive field testing but did not enter production due to lack of interest from either domestic or foreign customers. The Type 90-II is not a totally new design with around 45% of its components coming from current designs. This can be broken down as follows: 10% from the Type 59, 15% from the Type 69, and 20% from the Type 85/88C; the remaining 55% being new components. The overall layout of the Type 90-II MBT is conventional with the driver's compartment at the front, fighting compartment in the centre and power pack at the rear. Under a contract signed in May 1990, the Type 90-II is also to be manufactured under licence in Pakistan and further development has resulted in the Khalid MBT which is tailored to meet the specific operational requirements of the Pakistani Armoured Corps.

Armament
Main armament of the Type 90-II consists of a fully-stabilised 125mm auto-fed smoothbore gun capable of firing various types of ammunition including high explosive, high explosive fragmentation and APFSDS. The main gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. It is fed by an automatic loader which holds a total of 22 projectiles and charges which can be loaded at the rate of six to eight per minute. The gun can fire HEAT, HE-FRAG, and APFSDS munitions. The gun is also capable of firing the 9M119 Refleks guided missile. Second armament includes a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola. Mounted either side of the turret is a bank of six electrically operated smoke grenade launchers which fire forwards
Protection
The hull of Type 90-II is of welded steel construction with an additional layer of composite armour at the front. Explosive reactive armour has been added to the glacis plate and nose of the vehicle. The turret is in the centre and is of all-welded steel armour construction to which a layer of composite armour has been added over the frontal arc. In addition to the turret front, packs of explosive reactive armour have also been added to the sides and forward roof.
Propulsion
The power pack of the Type 90-II consists of the engine, transmission and cooling system and can be removed as a complete unit in 30 minutes. The engine is a British Perkins Engines Company Shrewsbury CV12-1200 TCA diesel developing 1,200 hp coupled to a French SESM ESM 500 automatic transmission. Suspension is of the torsion bar type with hydraulic shock absorbers and either side consists of six large dual rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and track return rollers. The upper part of the suspension is covered by a rubber skirt with the forward part on either side being covered by explosive reactive armour. The Type 90-II can run on road at a maximum speed of 63 km/h, on a maximum range of 450 km. To extend the operational range of the Type 90-II MBT, two additional diesel fuel drums can be mounted externally at the rear.
Accessories
The Type 90-II is equipped with an Image Stabilised Fire-Control System (ISFCS) includes a thermal imager module, laser range-finder integrated into the gunner's sight, control panel, ballistic computer and a roof-mounted sensor for crosswind, tilt and angular velocity. Standard equipment includes an anti-neutron liner for the crew compartments, collective NBC system, explosion/fire detection and suppression system and infrared reflecting paint. It can also lay a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlets at the rear of the hull. A snorkel is mounted to the back side of the turret, with this system the Type 90-II can cross a river with a maximum depth of 5 meters. Without preparation the Type 90-II can cross a river with a maximum depth of 1.40 m.

Armament
One 125 mm, one coaxial machine gun 7.62 mm calibre and one 12.7 mm calibre machine gun
Country users
China, Pakistan (Al Khalid)
Designer Company
Norinco
Accessories
Firing control computer system, night vision, NBC system
Crew
3 soldiers

Armour
Steel and composite armour, explosive reactive armour font of the turret and the hull.
Weight
48,000 kg

Speed
62 km on road
Range
450 km

Dimensions
Length, 10,07 m; Width, 3,4 m; Height, 2,37 m


Type 90-II MBT 2000 China Chinese main battle tank technical data sheet information description UK - Army Recognition - Army Recognition