Some snaps of OplotM & VT4 testing in Pakistan

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Looks like the Chinese are testing their latest machines in the plains and deserts, which have been historically the passages for foreign invasions and conquers of Delhi!!!! And, in company of the Ukranian tanks to see their mettle!!! Then the Indian analysts aren't wrong in their presumption that another Panipat - this time "by/of/for China" - is a possibility!!!!!

 

[Dazzler]

Surprisingly, Thailand just accepted another batch of Oplots despite supposedly cancelling the deal. There is something that keeps them thinking and inducting more of these beasts despite having opted for VT-4s in 2016.

The latest batch was inducted in December 2017.
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/476619.html

 

[Tipu7]

Can you post comprehensive comparison of both tanks, reflecting pros and cons of both?

Well since we will be inducting a customized version so it's hard to give paper comparison of both tank as final product finding its way in Pak armor will be different.
We still don't know about final power plant which will be used in both tanks. If Ukraine offers 6TD-3 for Oplot P as well as AK2, then OplotP will be our best shot.
In simple comparison you can say that OplotP is better protected, more mobile while fire power and situation awareness of both tanks is pretty much same. Advantages VT4 has over OplotP is that its comparatively cheaper and can be delivered in large numbers in comparatively less time by Norinco. Ukraine production capabilities will be questionable.

Hopefully, ASELSAN AKKOR active armored protection system finds a way to end up with the Pak armors!!! i cide tally, they're passing the trials in the Syrian expedition!!! Not a wild imagination I think...

No APS of any type is on table right now.

Surprisingly, Thailand just accepted another batch of Oplots despite supposedly cancelling the deal. There is something that keeps them thinking and inducting more of these beasts despite having opted for VT-4s in 2016.

The latest batch was inducted in December 2017.
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/476619.html

Thailand is full filling its demand by induction of both OplotM and VT4 instead of purely OplotM. The reason to go for VT4 as 'filling up gap' measure was obviously related to Ukraine inability to complete order according to time schedule.

 

[Dazzler]

Well since we will be inducting a customized version so it's hard to give paper comparison of both tank as final product finding its way in Pak armor will be different.
We still don't know about final power plant which will be used in both tanks. If Ukraine offers 6TD-3 for Oplot P as well as AK2, then OplotP will be our best shot.
In simple comparison you can say that OplotP is better protected, more mobile while fire power and situation awareness of both tanks is pretty much same. Advantages VT4 has over OplotP is that its comparatively cheaper and can be delivered in large numbers in comparatively less time by Norinco. Ukraine production capabilities will be questionable.


No APS of any type is on table right now.


Thailand is full filling its demand by induction of both OplotM and VT4 instead of purely OplotM. The reason to go for VT4 as 'filling up gap' measure was obviously related to Ukraine inability to complete order according to time schedule.

Oplot has much better and comprehensive armor/ ERA protection at front and sides as well as the engine/ transmission combo but the VT-4 offers better FCS and netcentric capability. Also notice the gun in the VT-4 is changed, it has to do with barrel wear while firing on the move and accuracy. The muzzle reference system is also there which was absent from the original vehicle.

The FCS of VT-4 offers comprehensive hunter killer capability, where the commander just needs to track the target, push the fire button and the gun will auto rotate to engage the target. Oplot's FCS follows primitive Russian style separate optics for both gunner as well as commander. There is marginal hunter killer facility in it at best, which may not be the case with new mbt.

 

[Tipu7]

The FCS of VT-4 offers comprehensive hunter killer capability, where the commander just needs to track the target, push the fire button and the gun will auto rotate to engage the target. Oplot's FCS follows primitive Russian style separate optics for both gunner as well as commander. There is marginal hunter killer facility in it at best, which may not be the case with new mbt.

This

Oplot has much better and comprehensive armor/ ERA protection at front and sides as well as the engine/ transmission combo but the VT-4 offers better FCS and netcentric capability. Also notice the gun in the VT-4 is changed, it has to do with barrel wear while firing on the move and accuracy. The muzzle reference system is also there which was absent from the original vehicle.

Fire control systems, Engine and also Net Centric Battle management systems can be sourced from out side. Its not necessary we will be using the ones currently in use by both tanks.

 

[Dazzler]

This

Fire control systems, Engine and also Net Centric Battle management systems can be sourced from out side. Its not necessary we will be using the ones currently in use by both tanks.

PA doesnt want to go the Alkhalid route again where they had to source most things from abroad including engine and transmission and built some on their own. It had cost us 10 long years and millions $ to import thermal imagers, gun control and environment control systems.

They are busy with AK-1 and testing Ak-2 configurations hence they need a "complete" weapon system in the Al Haider mbt whichever contender is chosen.

That's what they want to avoid and that's why both contenders were given a chance to improve, improvise and re-compete.

 

[Zarvan]

This

Fire control systems, Engine and also Net Centric Battle management systems can be sourced from out side. Its not necessary we will be using the ones currently in use by both tanks.

No matter which Tank comes I am more than sure most internal things will change and we would put things of our choice

 

[Tipu7]

PA doesnt want to go the Alkhalid route again where they had to source most things from abroad including engine and transmission and built some on their own. It had cost us 10 long years and millions $ to import thermal imagers, gun control and environment control systems.

They are busy with AK-1 and testing Ak-2 configurations hence they need a "complete" weapon system in the Al Haider mbt whichever contender is chosen.

That's what they want to avoid and that's why both contenders were given a chance to improve, improvise and re-compete.

Then why the name 'Al Haider' ? A separate name gives the notion that we will be following almost similar approach as Al Khalid. A random tank off the shelf purchase with upgraded package sources from any other country(Turkey?) Though difference will be that we will not be producing the tank at home.

That's what they want to avoid and that's why both contenders were given a chance to improve, improvise and re-compete.

Make sense.

 

[Dazzler]

No matter which Tank comes I am more than sure most internal things will change and we would put things of our choice

Not if they fulfilled the requirements.

Then why the name 'Al Haider' ? A separate name gives the notion that we will be following almost similar approach as Al Khalid. A random tank off the shelf purchase with upgraded package sources from any other country(Turkey?) Though difference will be that we will not be producing the tank at home.

Al Haider was never meant to be produced at home, rather the idea was to buy an mbt off the shelf and replace the obsolete fleet with it. Reason - our inability to churn Alkhalids in big numbers over the years.

This will help PA maintain quality and capability of weapon systems, a sharp edge you might say over the enemy.

At a not so distant future, the entire fleet of PA should comprise of 3rd generation plus mbts.

On a side note, Ukrainians think that 1 oplot can effectively outgun and kill 6 t-64s in a one on one battle, but the cost of procuring one (around 4$ million) will be more than they could afford. Hence they keep churning out BULAT upgrades.

 

[Tipu7]

but the cost of procuring one (around 4$ million) will be more than they could afford. Hence they keep churning out BULAT upgrades.

As per Dylan Malyasov, 1 Oplot: 6 Million$, 1 Bulat: 1.4 Million$

 

[Dazzler]

As per Dylan Malyasov, 1 Oplot: 6 Million$, 1 Bulat: 1.4 Million$

Overall cost depends upon the final configuration of the weapon system.

 

[帅的一匹]

This is a link of video of VT4 that can help you
http://m.youku.com/video/id_XMzM1Nj...p/sid/XMzM1NjUyMjU2NA==/v.swf[/media]&source=

 

[Dazzler]

This is a link of video of VT4 that can help you
http://m.youku.com/video/id_XMzM1NjUyMjU2NA==.html?spm=a2hzp.8244740.0.0 [media]http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XMzM1NjUyMjU2NA==/v.swf[/media]&source=

Seen it before, help in knowing what?

 

[帅的一匹]

Seen it before, help in knowing what?

I saw the video yaterday, so just post it up.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

Oplot has much better and comprehensive armor/ ERA protection at front and sides as well as the engine/ transmission combo but the VT-4 offers better FCS and netcentric capability. Also notice the gun in the VT-4 is changed, it has to do with barrel wear while firing on the move and accuracy. The muzzle reference system is also there which was absent from the original vehicle.

The FCS of VT-4 offers comprehensive hunter killer capability, where the commander just needs to track the target, push the fire button and the gun will auto rotate to engage the target. Oplot's FCS follows primitive Russian style separate optics for both gunner as well as commander. There is marginal hunter killer facility in it at best, which may not be the case with new mbt.

The Ukrainians could also have an electronics upgrade in the pipeline for the Oplot. We know the Zaslon hard-kill APS is nearing completion, but other stuff, e.g. network-enabled warfare capability, new-gen sights, new-gen BMS, etc could come through later. In fact, Ukraine did complete a tank upgrade in collaboration with Aselsan, perhaps they could work the latter again on upgrading the Oplot? In this case, the upgrade and customization work would be done by Ukraine/Turkey, not in Pakistan.