Vietnam Defence Forum

[Silent Knight]

You think Russia allow Israeli to work on SUs directly ? No they won't.

Given that the Su-30MKM uses several western systems, I expect something similar.

 

[TenLua]

how do you want to put on tank? impossible. unless we develop a armor vehicle that can accommodate the Gatling gun. but actually the army has successfully developed a mobile version. a truck will tow it, like it does with other artillery pieces. once deployed, the guns will spit an incredible amount of steel projectiles on targets. as far as we can see in the pictures, the gun is remotely controlled. unmanned.

Vietnam made mobile 30mm Gatling gun

I don't know if you study the war in Syria, but it's pretty clear to me a large caliber (30mm) weapon with a high rate of fire can change the war in a major way.

 

[Carlosa]

Seems some progress is made in upgrading T54/T55 tanks to T55M3 series.

the 100mm main cannon is replaced by an israeli made M68/L7 105mm, that is capable to fire powerful armor piercing shell APFSDS. two Vietnam made machine guns 12.7mm and 7,62mm are installed. Blazer ERA provides more survivability, capable to withstand RPG-7. the upgrade is being supported by Israeli and Swiss defence companies. I cut out pictures from a video, hence the quality is bad.

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Didn't the T-55M3 project get cancelled? @Silent Knight

how do you want to put on tank? impossible. unless we develop a armor vehicle that can accommodate the Gatling gun.

The chinese have an air defense APC with a 30mm gatling gun like that.

 

[Viet]

The chinese have an air defense APC with a 30mm gatling gun like that.

theoretically we can do the same. mounting the Gatling on a truck like this, adding armor plates and developing a fire control radar. I am willing to bet we can beat the Chinese in price competition

 

[Carlosa]

 

[Silent Knight]

Didn't the T-55M3 project get cancelled? @Silent Knight

Probably, due to the high cost per unit (800k USD for each tank).

The AMV configuration was chosen instead.

 

[Viet]

Underdog Vietnam Is Splurging on Weapons to Keep China at Bay
A modern day David and Goliath is playing out in the South China Sea.

By Kyle Mizokami
Aug 19, 2016


Rivals are preparing for a showdown in the South China Sea. On one side is the world's second-largest economy and most populous nation. On the other is a scrappy country that has taken on world powers—and won. And the way it is now preparing for potential conflict is a textbook study in how a smaller military should defend itself from a much larger one.

David and Goliath

Vietnam and China haven't exactly enjoyed a happy relationship over their thousands of years of being neighbors, with China often culturally, politically, and economically dominating smaller Vietnam. The two countries have come to blows numerous times, but until recently the rivalry had subsided. Vietnam enjoyed strong economic growth, in part because of its proximity to China's powerhouse economy. China remained relatively benign even as its military spending grew.

In 2010 China began aggressively pursuing what it considers traditionally Chinese territories in the East and South China Seas. This raised tensions between China and several nations in the region. In particular, China and Vietnam are at odds over several groups of islets in the South China Sea, including the Paracels and Spratly Island chains. In 1988, a skirmish between naval forces of the two sides on Johnson South Reef in the Spratlys ended with the Vietnamese side wiped out. Sixty-four Vietnamese troops were killed and two Vietnamese ships were sunk.

Not surprisingly, then, Vietnam hasn't fail to notice the current escalation in Chinese military might. It placed orders for 36 Su-30MK2 fighter jets—the equal of anything in the Chinese Air Force. In 2009 it spent $2 billion for six Improved Kilo-class diesel electric submarines, an incredible sum considering its defense budget for that year was only $3 billion. The submarines will soon be equipped with BrahMos missiles, a joint Indian-Russian supersonic anti-ship missile that is difficult to shoot down.

Ship for Ship?

Although the two countries share a land border, Vietnam is not particularly concerned about fighting a land war. When China invaded the battle-hardened Southeast Asian country in 1979, it lost approximately 1,000 troops per day during the month-long war—and vowed not to repeat the mistake. Instead, in any future conflict China would likely seal the land border and use air and naval power to choke its neighbor off from the outside world. Vietnam, a global center of manufacturing, would suffer economically if goods could come and go.

Vietnam, which has a military budget about 2 percent of China's, obviously can't match its neighbor ship for ship and missile for missile. It can, however, arm itself with very specific weapons systems aimed at key Chinese capabilities.

For example, the Vietnamese People's Air Force's SU-30MK2 jets will pose a serious threat to China's air superiority over the country and the South China Sea. During the Vietnam War, the VPAF downed several American combat jets and, although it never adequately protected the country, it forced the U.S. military to expend resources against it, providing fighter escorts for bombers and attack jets.

Likewise, Vietnam's six-submarine fleet isn't particularly large or powerful. During wartime it would be heavily outnumbered by China's South Seas Fleet, just one of three of China's fleet commands. But the psychology of submarine warfare, in which even just one well-trained submarine can threaten a large patch of ocean, will make the Chinese Navy tread carefully.

Tensions Rise

In recent months, China has again pushed its weight around in the region, most notably by installing the Haiyan Shiyou 981 oil rig in waters claimed by both countries. China has also attempted to bully the Philippines over ownership of the Second Thomas Shoal—also in the Spratly Islands chain—and has ignored an international courts ruling in favor of its smaller neighbor. China has even been pushing back against Japan over what it calls the Diaoyu Islands—know as the Senkaku Islands in Japan.

Vietnam has continued fortifying its defenses. Earlier this month, it showed off its two Russian-made K-300P "Bastion" coastal defense systems. The truck-mounted anti-ship missiles have a maximum range of 186 miles, making approaching anywhere near Vietnam's long coastline a risky proposition for an enemy ship. This month's deployment took things a step further, placing them on landing craft that could ferry them to some of the larger islands at the heart of the country's dispute with China. Here's a Vietnamese news report on the missiles:

Vietnam's latest acquisition revealed just last week comes in the form of 20 Israeli-made EXTRA missiles (see image at top.) Standing for Extended Range Artillery Rocket, EXTRA carries a 275-lb. warhead, uses GPS guidance to achieve accuracy within 30 feet, and has a range of 81 miles. The 306-millimeter EXTRA missiles are stationed on five bases in the Spratlys, putting Chinese military bases at Subi, Fiery Cross, and Mischief Reefs within striking distance.

With just a handful of fighter jets, submarines, anti-ship missiles and precision-guided rockets, Vietnam has fielded a formidable defensive force. While it's unlikely to stop a determined Chinese attack, Vietnam's new weaponry could deter outright military aggression from its larger neighbor—or inflict casualties if that neighbor decided to roll the dice.

 

[Carlosa]

Probably, due to the high cost per unit (800k USD for each tank).

The AMV configuration was chosen instead.

That's what I thought.

 

[Viet]

Very funny. One month later, China is called as underdog. Seems the EXTRA deployment works perfect

China, The Underdog Now, Will Work With Vietnam On Sea Dispute
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2016/09/13/china-the-underdog-as-it-pledges-cooperation-with-vietnam-on-maritime-dispute/#6715631948b8

 

[TenLua]

Probably, due to the high cost per unit (800k USD for each tank).

The AMV configuration was chosen instead.

Jeebus. I wouldn't put 20 dollars into those things.

Very funny. One month later, China is called as underdog. Seems the EXTRA deployment works perfect

China, The Underdog Now, Will Work With Vietnam On Sea Dispute
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2016/09/13/china-the-underdog-as-it-pledges-cooperation-with-vietnam-on-maritime-dispute/#6715631948b8

Xi Jinping: *points to flag* OUR FLAGS ARE RED AND THEY HAVE STARS FOR FCK SAKE!!!!"

Vietnam: So....you leave us alone....?

 

[Farhan Bohra]

Given that the Su-30MKM uses several western systems, I expect something similar.

Those were good days when France participated in MKM program.

 

[Viet]

That's what I thought.

bro since silent knight joined this thread, the number of readers has increased a lot. I am pretty sure, one of the most active silent readers is the world famous China people's liberation army. You should interpret my posts in some cases in that perspective

 

[Silent Knight]

bro since silent knight joined this thread, the number of readers has increased a lot. I am pretty sure, one of the most active silent readers is the world famous China people's liberation army. You should interpret my posts in some cases in that perspective

Don't mind me. I'm just a passer-by

Jeebus. I wouldn't put 20 dollars into those things.

The T-54M3 project is indeed better than basic T-54B and T-55. However, the capabilities couldn't justify the high cost. so only one prototype was made, while the rest would be upgraded to AMV standard (new FCS, ERA, wind sensor, laser rangefinder, 2nd gen passive night vision etc.).

Those were good days when France participated in MKM program.

Indeed. I'm not quite sure about these upgrades so I cannot give you guys solid confirmation or denial.

 

[TenLua]

Don't mind me. I'm just a passer-by


The T-54M3 project is indeed better than basic T-54B and T-55. However, the capabilities couldn't justify the high cost. so only one prototype was made, while the rest would be upgraded to AMV standard (new FCS, ERA, wind sensor, laser rangefinder, 2nd gen passive night vision etc.).


Indeed. I'm not quite sure about these upgrades so I cannot give you guys solid confirmation or denial.

I guess they're still good for holding a position.

Higher rate of fire would be better suited for that though.

 

[Silent Knight]

I guess they're still good for holding a position.

Higher rate of fire would be better suited for that though.

I believe the upgrade package intends to give it a better "first shot first kill" capability though. Given a close enough distance and good camouflage, a T-54/55 can open fire and damage modern MBT with its 100mm rounds.