At AirShow China 2022 unveiling of new VT4A1 Main Battle Tank with more protection and firepower

[Zarvan]

Chinese defense company NORINCO unveils at China AirShow 2022 its new VT4A1, a modernized version of the VT4 Main Battle Tank (MBT) that was unveiled for the first time to the public at the International Defense Exhibition Eurosatory in June 2012.
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The Chinese-made VT4A1 Main Battle Tank MBT was unveiled at AirShowChina 2022 in November 2022. (Picture source Weibo China Social Network)

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The VT4 is the export name of the MBT-3000 a new generation of Main Battle Tank (MBT) fully designed and manufactured in China by the company NORINCO. The VT4 is now in service with China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Thailand.

The VT4A1 was unveiled at AirShow China in November 2022, it is a new modernized version of the VT4 featuring new improvements in terms of protection and firepower. Citing information published by the Chinese defense industry, the VT4A1 is now fitted with an Active Protection System (APS) and is now able to launch small attack drones.

The layout of the VT4A1 is similar to the original VT4 with the driver position at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. The turret design has been slightly modified, indeed, the bank of smoke grenade dischargers has been removed and replaced by the radar detection system of the APS mounted on each side of the turret.

Each side of the roof turret is equipped with a launcher unit which is part of the APS and consists of two tube launches able to fire the countermeasure on 360° around the tank. Each launcher is able to launch HE (High Explosive)-fragmentation grenades used to intercept different types of threats including ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and HEAT rounds fired from tank guns.

The VT4A1 seems to be fitted with a new armor package, in fact, the design of the front and sides of the turret are different from the original VT4. The sides of the hull are also fitted with new armor plates which protect the entire upper part of the suspension. The VT4A1 maintains the original suspension consisting of six large dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and track return rollers.

The roof of the turret is also fitted with a new ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) to increase the protection of the tank against aerial or drone attacks. The tank seems also to be fitted with a new panoramic sight.

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Close view of the two main components of the Active Protection System mounted on the VT4A1. (Picture Weibo China Social Network)

At AirShow China 2022 unveiling of new VT4A1 Main Battle Tank with mor

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[iLION12345_1]

Chinese defense company NORINCO unveils at China AirShow 2022 its new VT4A1, a modernized version of the VT4 Main Battle Tank (MBT) that was unveiled for the first time to the public at the International Defense Exhibition Eurosatory in June 2012.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

---

The Chinese-made VT4A1 Main Battle Tank MBT was unveiled at AirShowChina 2022 in November 2022. (Picture source Weibo China Social Network)

---

The VT4 is the export name of the MBT-3000 a new generation of Main Battle Tank (MBT) fully designed and manufactured in China by the company NORINCO. The VT4 is now in service with China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Thailand.

The VT4A1 was unveiled at AirShow China in November 2022, it is a new modernized version of the VT4 featuring new improvements in terms of protection and firepower. Citing information published by the Chinese defense industry, the VT4A1 is now fitted with an Active Protection System (APS) and is now able to launch small attack drones.

The layout of the VT4A1 is similar to the original VT4 with the driver position at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. The turret design has been slightly modified, indeed, the bank of smoke grenade dischargers has been removed and replaced by the radar detection system of the APS mounted on each side of the turret.

Each side of the roof turret is equipped with a launcher unit which is part of the APS and consists of two tube launches able to fire the countermeasure on 360° around the tank. Each launcher is able to launch HE (High Explosive)-fragmentation grenades used to intercept different types of threats including ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and HEAT rounds fired from tank guns.

The VT4A1 seems to be fitted with a new armor package, in fact, the design of the front and sides of the turret are different from the original VT4. The sides of the hull are also fitted with new armor plates which protect the entire upper part of the suspension. The VT4A1 maintains the original suspension consisting of six large dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and track return rollers.

The roof of the turret is also fitted with a new ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) to increase the protection of the tank against aerial or drone attacks. The tank seems also to be fitted with a new panoramic sight.

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Close view of the two main components of the Active Protection System mounted on the VT4A1. (Picture Weibo China Social Network)

At AirShow China 2022 unveiling of new VT4A1 Main Battle Tank with mor

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PAs VT-4s already have all of this (and some more) apart from the APS…

 

[Princeps Senatus]

PAs VT-4s already have all of this (and some more) apart from the APS…

Do you think we will get DTC-10E? Is there any reason to?

 

[KampfAlwin]

PAs VT-4s already have all of this (and some more) apart from the APS…

Not sure if they also have DTC-10-125, only BTA-4 right? Also, I wonder if PA VT-4s have 1500hp engines? It's kind of weird how base VT-4s have a 1200hp engine considering the enlarged engine deck, and the funnily enough, the old Type 99 also has a 1200hp engine despite a smaller engine deck.

 

[Princeps Senatus]

Not sure if they also have DTC-10-125, only BTA-4 right? Also, I wonder if PA VT-4s have 1500hp engines? It's kind of weird how base VT-4s have a 1200hp engine considering the enlarged engine deck, and the funnily enough, the old Type 99 also has a 1200hp engine despite a smaller engine deck.

It's been confirmed that they are 1200hp. I don't think extra power is really needed. 1200 should be more than enough.

 

[iLION12345_1]

Not sure if they also have DTC-10-125, only BTA-4 right? Also, I wonder if PA VT-4s have 1500hp engines? It's kind of weird how base VT-4s have a 1200hp engine considering the enlarged engine deck, and the funnily enough, the old Type 99 also has a 1200hp engine despite a smaller engine deck.

The enlarged engine deck is necessary for the new 1200HP engine and other systems. The engine in the older 99 and the VT-4 are not the same. PAs VT-4s do not have a 1500HP engine.

In tanks, torque matters more than the horsepower, the 1200 HP engine in VT-4 is more than enough to power it, it has more than 1.5x the torque the AKs 1200HP engine does. it’s one of the most mobile tanks in service.

DTC-10-125 was and remains available to the PA, it is comparable to the BTA-4 in performance, I assume the ability of PAs older models to fire said ammo might have had something to do with the decision to go with BTA-4

The overall length of the ammunition (BTA-4 and DTC-10) is the same, as they are both the maximum length which can be accommodated in the T72 style auto-loaders present in the Chinese origin tanks.
the DTC has a longer penetrator but the length has been reduced elsewhere, it is claimed to have better penetration performance, but it’s actual performance has not yet been entirely publicly confirmed.

 

[Someone88]

It's been confirmed that they are 1200hp. I don't think extra power is really needed. 1200 should be more than enough.

Hi where I can see specification VT4A1?

 

[silverox]

In the face of unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) blow tank has been completely out of date

 

[Abramar]

PAs VT-4s already have all of this (and some more) apart from the APS…

I'm starting to speculate the reason that the PA hasn't equipped the APS, is that it might not be ready yet. We are just now seeing a properly integrated APS on the VT-4, it is a possibility that it might come with the later batches of the tank.

In the face of unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) blow tank has been completely out of date

"In the face of Surface to Air missiles, UAVs are completely obsolete."

Do you see how stupid this argument is?

 

[iLION12345_1]

I'm starting to speculate the reason that the PA hasn't equipped the APS, is that it might not be ready yet. We are just now seeing a properly integrated APS on the VT-4, it is a possibility that it might come with the later batches of the tank.

At the time PA tested the VT-4, this APS was not available. GL-5 was available, which is an older model that doesn’t offer top attack protection.

PA has tested and is definitely interested in an APS for VT-4 and it’s other tanks, the reason PA hasn’t equipped it is simply money, it’s expensive. They want a larger number of tanks before they start equipping them with APS.

 

[Princeps Senatus]

At the time PA tested the VT-4, this APS was not available. GL-5 was available, which is an older model that doesn’t offer top attack protection.

PA has tested and is definitely interested in an APS for VT-4 and it’s other tanks, the reason PA hasn’t equipped it is simply money, it’s expensive. They want a larger number of tanks before they start equipping them with APS.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to start license producing / assembling a APS? This would give us the expertise and potentially reduce costs. Whether China would be willing to give us the ToT and local production for APS is another question entirely.

 

[Someone88]

At the time PA tested the VT-4, this APS was not available. GL-5 was available, which is an older model that doesn’t offer top attack protection.

PA has tested and is definitely interested in an APS for VT-4 and it’s other tanks, the reason PA hasn’t equipped it is simply money, it’s expensive. They want a larger number of tanks before they start equipping them with APS.

Please, help. where I can see specification VT4A1?

 

[iLION12345_1]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to start license producing / assembling a APS? This would give us the expertise and potentially reduce costs. Whether China would be willing to give us the ToT and local production for APS is another question entirely.

Again, cost and complexity are an issue. ToT is not cheap, and since we’ve never made such a thing before we’d need an entirely new assembly line.
A modern hard kill APS system is one of the most expensive and complicated pieces of tech currently on the market. It could nearly double the price of a VT-4 for the PA, something they’re likely not to keen about right now given they need the money elsewhere. And that’s if we’re able to even produce it locally (I’m sure we could do assembly, but that likely doesn’t justify the cost).

 

[serenity]

APS to put on every tank in service is too expensive. Not even the USA does this and only modded for APS if a particular mission requires it.

But PA's VT-4 would have thought about modular APS systems. They may have bought some and if required, can be integrated especially for units built later.

 

[Asian.Century]

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