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

If we are acquiring this then it means we are not satisfied with AK1?
If there were problems with AK1...either they would've corrected that problem...or they would've stopped AK1 production. It wouldn't make sense for them to continue producing a tank that doesn't satisfy the requirements. Since AK1 is still being produced...it must mean it is doing an adequate job.

As for VT4 acquisition...as per rumors it was needed urgently to make up numbers...either to add as a new addition or to replace some older tanks.
 
If there were problems with AK1...either they would've corrected that problem...or they would've stopped AK1 production. It wouldn't make sense for them to continue producing a tank that doesn't satisfy the requirements. Since AK1 is still being produced...it must mean it is doing an adequate job.

As for VT4 acquisition...as per rumors it was needed urgently to make up numbers...either to add as a new addition or to replace some older tanks.

No problems. Alkhalid program will continue and close to 300 (AK-1) mbts are on their way. In all, Alkhalid series will become the most numerous third generation mbt in PA (nearing 800 mbts in different variants). VT4 is an incremental upgrade and shares technologies from Type-99A series. It offers much higher automation and better NCS capabilities. It can be procured at a much faster pace thanks to Norinco's speedy production capabilities.
 
Hi or may be HIT is constrained with supply of engines for AK thus PA need extra gadgets to combat their rivals
Your thoughts please
Thank you
May be PA is not fully satisfied with AK1....otherwise PA armu wouldn't spend $1 billion on VT-4....There is not an issue of engines....These engines can also be provided by China....but in a positive sense PA is absorbing VT-4 technology....which can be incorporated in the future tanks....
 
Hi or may be HIT is constrained with supply of engines for AK thus PA need extra gadgets to combat their rivals
Your thoughts please
Thank you
It is possible..... but if that was the case than why even do trials of Oplot? If PA needed another tank because of any engine supply issue for Alkhalid, Oplot would never even be considered. But still trials were held for it meaning it was in competition for the order that went to VT-4.
 
May be PA is not fully satisfied with AK1....otherwise PA armu wouldn't spend $1 billion on VT-4....There is not an issue of engines....These engines can also be provided by China....but in a positive sense PA is absorbing VT-4 technology....which can be incorporated in the future tanks....
Its not about Not Being Satisfied but Trying Buildup sufficient Armour in Time. HIT is unable to increase Production because of T-85 Upgrade and AZ Conversion and T-80 Upgrade Down the Line. These Tanks make a Huge Chunk of Our Forces we cant Ignore them they need to be updated to maintain Edge against the Enemy.

AKs Production rate is 20 Per Year Lets Suppose we Double its Production at the cost of the Previously mentioned Modernization Programs it would still take 15 years to make up for these 300 VT-4s which we we will be getting in the Next 3-4 years. As Mentioned Previously It Offers Better ERA, Automation and NCW Capability which would eventually make their Way into AK-2 But the Biggest Advantage it has is that it could be Procured in Large Quantities in Short time Frame. This number Game was one of the Reasons OPlot was Dumped. This was always meant to be an Off the shelf Program when its Rumors started a few years back.
 
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There are 150HB series engines, but not meaning that they are exactly the same. And ZTZ-96B tank also uses a 150HB engine with 1000 HP.

The engine of ZTZ-99A is 12-cylinder, and that of ZTZ-96B is 8-cylinder. Maybe the engine of VT-4 is 10-cylinder???
Can you confirm or reject this 1500 HP engine claim
 
NO,the weight of 99A is 55 tone while VT4 is 52 tone and the upgraded VT4+ is almost 55 tone.
Maybe you are just right to that of ZTZ-99, and ZTZ-99 is equpped with a 150HB engine about 1200 HP.

But ZTZ-99A and ZTZ-99 are two completely different tanks, just like KLJ-7A AESA radar and KLJ-7 radar.

Can you confirm or reject this 1500 HP engine claim
No idea.
 
HIT, POF and Kamra are proving to be disappointment....
R&D and supporting industries infastructure is needed to be built fast for localization and production of local and competitive technologies...
 
I think current production of AK1s is at 40 per year. The facilities have been upgraded and capacity of 40 was always available. We may see even higher capacity in the future.
Some where in Mid 2000s HIT used to Produced 50 AKs a Year in 2008 it was 37. HIT itself had mentioned at that time that they could increase to 70-80 per year but at the cost of APC production and Tank overhauls.

People seem to forget HIT is not Just a Tank Manufacturer it also Also makes tank Barrels and Guns Bullet Proof Vests, its Site Repair Teams are Brought in to do Field Repairs to Tanks, it also Overhauls Tanks, APC, SPGs Modernizes Old T59/69 to AZs. Of Course HIT can increase the Production beyond 50 even without expansion of infrastructure but it would come at the cost of other projects. Its not a Cooperation at least not yet Its main job is to support Pakistan Army which it has done pretty well.

The Current decrease in Production is intentional due to T-85 Modernization Program and PA decision to wait for AK-2.
 
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Some where in Mid 2000s HIT used to Produced 50 AKs a Year in 2008 it was 37. HIT itself had mentioned at that time that they could increase to 70-80 per year but at the cost of APC production and Tank overhauls.

People seem to forget HIT is not Just a Tank Manufacturer it also Also makes tank Barrels and Guns Bullet Proof Vests, its Site Repair Teams are Brought in to do Field Repairs to Tanks, it also Overhauls Tanks, APC, SPGs Modernizes Old T59/69 to AZs. Of Course HIT can increase the Production beyond 50 even without expansion of infrastructure but it would come at the cost of other projects. Its not a Cooperation at least not yet Its main job is to support Pakistan Army which it has done pretty well.

The Current decrease in Production is intentional due to T-85 Modernization Program and PA decision to wait for AK-2.

Yes, I remember those days where 50 was stated explicitly. Just gave my view as to the practical reality of production of AK1s. But I've no inside info, just a civilian commentator with no experience in building or driving tanks.
 

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