Heres a basic comparison between the two.
View attachment 370125
T-90MS Tagil
Crew 3 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 48 t
Length (gun forward) ~ 10 m
Hull length ~ 6.8 m
Width ~ 3.5 m
Height ~ 2.3 m
Armament
Main gun 125 mm smoothbore
ATGW 9K119M (AT-11 Sniper-B)
Machine guns 2 x 7.62 mm
Elevation range - 6 to + 14 degrees
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 40 rounds
Machine guns 2 800 rounds
Mobility
Engine V-92S2F diesel
Engine power 1 130 hp
Maximum road speed 72 km/h
Range 550 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 40%
Vertical step 0.8 m
Trench 2.85 m
Fording 1.2 m
Fording (with preparation) 5 m
View attachment 370126
MBT-3000/VT-4A
Crew - 3 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 52 t
Length (gun forward) 10.1 m
Hull length ~ 7 m
Width 3.5 m
Height 2.4 m
Armament
Main gun 125-mm smoothbore
ATGW 9K119 Refleks (AT-11 Sniper)
Machine guns 1 x 12.7-mm, 1 x 7.62-mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 38 rounds
Machine guns 500 x 12.7-mm, 3000 x 7.62-mm
Mobility
Engine diesel
Engine power 1 300 hp
Maximum road speed 67 km/h
Range 500 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 40%
Vertical step 1.2 m
Trench 2.7 m
Fording ~ 1.2 m
Fording (with preparation) 4 - 5 m
More deeper comparison.
T-90MS
View attachment 370130
The T-90MS is the latest version of the RussianT-90 main battle tank. It is also referred as Tagil or Proryv. It is a modernized version and has a number of improvements and improved operational capabilities over its predecessor. This tank was first revealed in 2011. It is being proposed for the Russian Army and possible export customers. India approved procurement of 464 of these main battle tanks. If the deal comes through, these could be delivered within the next 3-4 years.
The T-90MS Tagil MBT has an improved turret. Survivability of the tank was improved by adding a turret bustle. This combat machine has new composite armor as well as built-in Relikt explosive reactive armor (ERA) in place of the previous Kontakt-5. The Tagil is fitted with side skirts with built-in Relikt ERA. It provides protection against tandem warheads and reduces penetration of APFSDS rounds by over 50%. There is also a Shtora-1 countermeasures system, which significantly reduces the chance of being hit by enemy anti-tank guided weapons with semi-automatic guidance. As usually this tank is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. Interior is lined with spall liner.
The T-90MS is armed with new 125 mm high-accuracy smoothbore gun. This gun has longer range than the previous 2A46M gun of the baseline T-90. It fires APFSDS, HE and HE-Frag rounds. The Tagil also fires 9K119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper-B) anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These missiles have a range of 4-5 km and can also engage low-flying helicopters. A total of 40 rounds a carried for the main gun. The T-90MS uses a proven carousel-type autoloader. As with its predecessor 22 rounds are stored in the autoloader and are ready to use. However remaining rounds are stored in a new turret bustle rather than a crew compartment in order to avoid risks of explosion.
Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a remotely controlled weapon station, also armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun. Both machine guns are operated under armor.
The T-90MS Tagil has new Kalina fire control system and updated observation and aiming devices. This Russian tank has a hunter-killer engagement capability. Tank commander uses a panoramic sight with thermal vision 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. Furthermore target acquisition system tracks selected targets automatically. It is claimed that the new tank is 15-20% more accurate than its predecessor.
This main battle tank has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.
The T-90MS Tagil is powered by a new V-92S2F turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 130 hp. Engine is coupled with an automatic transmission with 7 forward and 1 reverse gear. It is a milestone in the Russian tank development, as all previous Russian tanks were fitted with manual transmissions. The new tank also has improved suspension and drivetrain. Maximum road speed of this tank has improved over its predecessor. The Tagil is also fitted with auxiliary power unit, which powers all systems when the main engine is turned off. This combat vehicle is fitted with a deep wading kit, that can be installed by tank's crew within 20 minutes. With a deep wading kit attached it can ford water obstacles up to 5 m deep. The tank is also fitted with a self-entrenching blade and can prepare itself an emplacement within 12-40 minutes, depending on the ground type.
MBT-3000
View attachment 370129
The MBT-3000 is a recent Chinese main battle tank, developed specially for export. It is also referred as VT-4. It is being marketed by NORINCO. It is an improved version of VT1A. The MBT-3000 is similar to the
Type 99Gwhich is currently in service with the PLA, but has downgraded capabilities such as sights, propulsion and gun. A model of this MBT was publicly presented in 2012. First pictures of this new tank appeared in 2013.
It seems that the MBT-3000 was proposed for Pakistan as an Al Khalid Mk.2. In 2016 Thailand ordered a first batch of 28 VT-4 tanks. Deliveries were planned to be completed between 2016-2018. Future Thai orders could reach 150 units.
This tank is not an entirely new design. It owns its existence to the Soviet
T-72 of the Cold War era which has been around for over 30 years. The T-72 proved to be reliable but not too effective in combat. In the 1980s China obtained this tank from Romania and cloned it. The MBT-3000 is the culmination of decades of fine-tuning many tank systems that have been of Soviet origin. Also this tank shows some Western influence in its design. A number of improvements over the previous Chinese designs is substantial, however none of them greatly improved tank's performance.
The MBT-3000 uses proven technology and is cost-effective. This tank is being proposed for developing countries, interested in upgrading their inventory. The MBT-3000 is a superior and more expensive alternative to the
VT2, that is another Chinese design for export. However this tank is no match for modern Western MBTs.
This Chinese tank has a low silhouette. It is a key T-72 feature. Hull and turret of the MBT-3000 is of welded steel construction with a layer of composite armor over the front arc. Official sources claim that side skirts are also made of composite armor. Also there are modular add-on explosive reactive armor blocks. The MBT-3000 has a redesigned turret with a wedge-shaped armor, similar to that of the Type 99G. Front arc protection has been improved comparing with the previous VT1A. Side skirts can be fitted with reactive armor. The tank has an NBC protection system. It is also fitted with new fire extinguishing and explosion suppression systems.
This machine is also fitted with passive countermeasures system. It links laser threat warning reviver with smoke grenade launching. It reduces the chance of being hit by enemy anti-tank guided weapons.
The MBT-3000 is armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun. The gun is fed by an automatic carousel-type loader. The autoloader reduces the tank crew to three and allow to reduce dimensions of the vehicle. Both the gun and autoloader were copied from the Soviet T-72. Loading speed is 8 rounds per minute. This tank fires APFSDS, HEAT and HE/HEF rounds. It is also compatible with gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles. These are Russian 9K119 Refleks (AT-11 Sniper) missiles, produced in China under license. Missiles are launched in the same manner as ordinary munitions. Missiles have a maximum range of 5 000 m. Typically four missiles are carried. This anti-tank guided missile capability is not common in Western designs. A total of 38 rounds are carried for the main gun. 22 of them are loaded into the autoloader and are ready to use. Other rounds are stored inside the hull.
There is also a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. Also the is a roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun. Initially it was manually operated by the vehicle commander. Later it became remotely controlled from inside of the tank. So the tank commander no longer has to expose himself to enemy fire.
The tank is fully digitalized and is fitted with a battlefield management system. Gunner and commander use a second-generation cooled thermal imagers. It seems that these sights were jointly developed with ASELSAN of Turkey. Fire control system has a hunter-killer capability. This tank can fire accurately on the move. Vehicle is also fitted with a GPS navigation system.
The MBT-3000 has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.
It is claimed that this main battle tank is fitted with an indigenous turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 300 hp. However it might actually be of Ukrainian origin. It is worth mentioning that the Chinese Army Type 99G is powered by a more powerful engine, developing 1 500 hp and based on a German design. Some sources report that the MBT-3000 might be also fitted with a more powerful diesel, developing 1 500 hp. Engine is mated to an automatic gearbox. This MBT has a deep fording capability. Auxiliary fuel tanks can be fitted for extended range.
Kira.
