Ukraine to Deliver 110 Battle Tank Engines to Pakistan

- Ukraine will deliver 110 tank power plants – engines and related parts – to Pakistan under a $50 million contract, state-run arms exporter Ukrspetsstroi said on Monday.
The power plants will be manufactured at the Kharkov-based Malyshev Plant, a state-run enterprise specializing in armored vehicles and their components, under a four-year contract that was signed “several days ago,” Ukrspetsstroi said in a statement on its website.
It did not provide any technical specifications.
Ukraine previously delivered more than 300 power plants to Pakistan for its al-Khalid main battle tank, Ukrspetsstroi's acting deputy general director Vadim Kozhevnikov said, adding that Ukraine also supplies tank engines to China.
The statement cited Kozhevnikov as saying he believed Ukraine is in a good position to compete with the world’s leading tank power plant manufacturers, in particular Germany.

Turkey Unveils New Main Battle Tank

This is from the tank’s builder Otokar:

The first prototypes of Turkey’s first main battle tank ALTAY which is designed and developed by Otokar, the biggest privately owned company of the Turkish Defence Industry, was presented at Otokar facilities in Sakarya on November 15th.

Attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the ceremony was hosted by Mustafa V. Koc, Chairman of Koc Holding. General Necdet Ozel, Chief of General Staff; İsmet Yilmaz, Minister of Defence; General Hayri Kivrikoglu, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces; Murad Bayar, Defence Industry Undersecretary; Kudret Onen, Head of Koc Holding Defence Industry Group and Chairman of the Board of Otokar; Halil Unver, Vice Chairman of Otokar and Serdar Gorguc, Otokar General Manager attended the ceremony.

The first prototypes of ALTAY reflect the results of the concept development and critical design process of the project which started in 2009. The first prototype is planned to be used for the testing and optimization of ALTAY’s mobility. The second prototype will be used in order to test the firing performance of ALTAY. Two more prototypes are planned to be manufactured following the evaluation of the data gathered from first two prototypes. The ALTAY tank will be ready for mass production by 2015.

The first ALTAY prototype had already covered more than 2.000 kilometers during tests up to now. Two prototypes exhibited a special show to the guests of the ceremony at the tank test track of Otokar. Including mobility performance like acceleration, maximum speed, side slope, suspension, stabilization track and off-road drive, this show made the impression that, when finished, ALTAY would be the most modern tank in the world.

Turkey’s Main Battle Tank ALTAY is to be Turkey’s Pride

The first prototypes of Turkey's first national main battle tank ALTAY which is designed and developed by OTOKAR has been introduced. Realized with an investment of about 500 million USD, the ALTAY Project is planned for mass production in 2015.

The first prototypes of Turkey's first main battle tank ALTAY which is designed and developed by OTOKAR, the biggest privately owned company of the Turkish Defence Industry, has been presented at OTOKAR facilities in Sakarya on November 15th.

Held with the participation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN, the "ALTAY FIRST PROTOTYPE" ceremony was hosted by Mustafa V. Koc, Chairman of Koc Holding. General Necdet OZEL, Chief of General Staff; Ismet YILMAZ, Minister of Defence; General Hayri KIVRIKOGLU, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces; Murad BAYAR, Defence Industry Undersecretary; Kudret ONEN, Head of Koc Holding Defence Industry Group and Chairman of the Board of OTOKAR; Halil UNVER, Vice Chairman of OTOKAR and Serdar GORGUC, OTOKAR General Manager attended the ceremony.

The first prototypes of ALTAY reflect the results of the concept development and critical design process of the Project which started in 2009. The first prototype is planned to be used for the testing and optimization of ALTAY's mobility.

The second prototype will be used in order to test the firing performance of ALTAY. Two more prototypes are planned to be manufactured following the evaluation of the data gathered from first two prototypes. The ALTAY tank will be ready for mass production by 2015.

Pakistan Army Tank on display during the Ideas 2012 Exhibition at Expo Center, Karachi, Pakistan.

Pakistan Army Tank on display during the Ideas 2012 Exhibition at Expo Center, Karachi, Pakistan.

DRDO’s second version of Arjun tank heavier by 9 tonnes

Even as the Indian Army was struggling to find a suitable deployment for the indigenous Main Battle Arjun Mk-I, which at 58 tonnes was heavy for rapid deployment in forward areas, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has come up with its Mk-II version that is heavier by 10 tonnes.

While the Arjun Mk-II has outperformed the Russian-built T-90s that are the mainstay of the Indian Army’s mainstay in terms of speed, accuracy and firepower, its huge weight has constrained its deployment options.

The Arjun tanks took nearly four decades to materialize. Because of its weight, a reluctant army placed an order for only 124 units after a bitter wrangling with the premier military research organization that was insisting on purchase of at least 500 tanks to make the project costing the ex-chequer $ 3.5 billion feasible.

The Army asked the DRDO to improve the tank further and produce Mk-II version and promised that the force might order more units. But before embarking on the project, the DRDO asked for an initial order and the force contracted to acquire 122 Arjun Mk-II, which is expected to cost approximately Rs. 37 crore per unit.

India's Arjun Mk.2 Tank Revealed

After more than three decades of development, India’s Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) has literally emerged like a phoenix from the ashes, surprising even its most sceptical observers. Last year, the Arjun outgunned the Indian army’s T-72 and T-90 MBT’s, when trials were conducted with the respective units putting up their best tanks and personnel.
FORCE visited the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) for an exclusive insight into the programme. We learnt that while the Arjun Mk-2 is substantially improved and more capable than the Arjun Mk-1; it is too heavy, limiting areas where it can be deployed by the Army. And that renders it unsuitable for the army’s operational requirements for a Main Battle Tank (MBT). According to P Sivakumar, Director CVRDE, “the weight of the Arjun prevents it from being deployed in all the areas required by the Army”.
Keeping this in mind, the Arjun Mk-2’s improved performance seems to have put the Army in a spot. What does one do with a tank that is fast, can shoot accurately on the move and is relatively well protected but is too heavy to be deployed in the deserts near the Pakistan border as a replacement for the T-72 or T-90? Paradoxically, while the tank itself has demonstrated high speed and mobility, its weight precludes it from being able to operate anywhere the army wants it to. The Arjun Mk-2 will weigh around 67 tonnes and this fatally limits the tank’s operational effectiveness for the Indian Army.
The tank is too heavy to be deployed across the border with Pakistan. It is unable to effectively traverse terrain filled with natural and/or artificial obstacles. Or areas criss-crossed with rivers and canals. That rules out most places in Rajasthan, Punjab and the mountainous terrain of the J&K sector.

African Union T-55 series Main Battle Tank

                         African Union T-55 series Main Battle Tank

Russian Military May Receive New Tank for Testing in 2013

The Russian military may receive a prototype of a new main battle tank (MBT) for field testing almost a year earlier than scheduled, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Wednesday.

The tank, dubbed Armata, is being developed by tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod in Russia’s Urals region. The Defense Ministry earlier said the field testing of the MBT was expected to start in 2014.

“Uralvagonzavod tells us they will supply a first prototype under the Armata project for testing 10 months ahead of schedule,” Sukhorukov said.

The first deliveries of the tank to the Russian Armed Forces are scheduled for 2015. A total of 2,300 MBTs are expected to be supplied by 2020.

Polish army plans to acquire 1,000 new main battle tanks and tested the new Polish tank Anders.

The Polish Army plans to acquire up to 1,000 new tanks in different variants, reported local daily Rzeczpospolita. It is expected that Poland’s Ministry of Defense will sign a deal to launch production of the Anders, the tank prototype developed by Bumar Group’s OBRUM Gliwice research unit, according to the Polish newspaper.

“The order will be placed with the Polish defense industry, but to boost the design and production phase, it will be vital to cooperate with top foreign defense manufacturers,” said retired . Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, Poland’s deputy defense minister responsible for the armed forces’ modernization.

The Polish tank program is part of a plan to overhaul the country’s land forces. In January, Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said that “launching a national tank program as part of efforts to increase the [land forces’] mobility” is one of the Army’s key modernization priorities.

India is developing a new recovery vehicle based on the new Arjun Mark II main battle tank.

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of India , which is developing a new Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, has reached the final stage of the 'complete specification' for the ARRV, a senior scientist said.

The finalisation of complete specification for ARRV is under final stage. We are going in the right direction," the CVRDE scientist told PTI. The new ARRV, a variant of the Arjun Main Battle Tank, is being developed for the Indian Army at the DRDO lab here.

CVRDE will develop two prototypes in the next three years. The hull, including the chassis automative system, will almost be the same as Arjun Mark II and slight modifications will be made to accommodate a crane and a winch since it will be a recovery vehicle, he said.

T-90S Main Battle Tank

T-90S Main Battle Tank (MBT)

UralVagonZavod - Russia

The T-90S is the latest development in the T-series of Russian tanks and represents an increase in firepower, mobility and protection. It is manufactured by Uralvagonzavod in Nizhnyi Tagil, Russia.
The T-90S entered service with the Russian Army in 1992. In February 2001, the Indian Army signed a contract for 310 T-90S tanks: 124 were completed in Russia and the rest are being delivered in "knocked down" form for final assembly in India.

T-90S main battle tank orders and deliveries

The first of these was delivered in January 2004. The locally assembled tanks are christened 'Bhishma'. The tanks are fitted with the Shtora self-protection system and Catherine thermal imagers from Thales of France and Peleng of Belarus. The first ten Bhishma tanks were inducted into the Indian Army in August 2009. India plans to induce 1,640 T-90 tanks by 2020.
In January 2005, it was announced that a further 91 T-90S tanks would be procured for the Russian Army, although this number was later reduced.
By November 2007, it has been estimated that the Russian Army has around 200 T-90 tanks. In August 2007, Thales was awarded a contract to supply 100 of these with the Catherine FC thermal imager. In March 2006, Algeria signed a contract for the supply of 180 T-90S tanks from Uralvagonzavod, to be delivered by 2011. Of the total, 102 tanks were in service with the Algerian Army by 2008.
In November 2006, India ordered a further 330 T-90 tanks, to be licence-built by heavy vehicle factory (HVF), Avadi, Tamil Nadu.
In January 2009, the Greek Cypriot Government approved the purchase of 41 T-90 tanks from Russia. In March 2010, however, the government changed its plans and opted for T-80 tanks against the T-90s. Saudi Arabia placed a $2bn order for helicopters and 150 T-90S MBTs in September 2009. In the same year, Turkmenistan ordered 10 T-90S tanks under a $30m contract.

T-90S armament

The T-90S armament includes one 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, stabilised in two axes and fitted with a thermal sleeve. The gun tube can be replaced without dismantling inside the turret. The gun can fire a variety of ammunition including APDS (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot), HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank), HE-FRAG (high-explosive fragmentation) as well as shrapnel projectiles with time fuses.
The T-90S gun can also fire the 9M119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile system. The range of the missile is 100m to 4,000m and takes 11.7 sec to reach maximum range. The system is intended to engage tanks fitted with ERA (explosive reactive armour) as well as low-flying air targets such as helicopters, at a range of up to 5km. The missile system fires either the 9M119 or 9M119M missiles which have semi-automatic laser beamriding guidance and a hollow charge warhead. Missile weight is 23.4kg. The guns automatic loader will feed both ordnance and missiles.
Also fitted is a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun. A 5.45mm AKS-74 assault rifle is carried on a storage rack.

Self protection

The T-90 tank is protected by both conventional armour-plating and explosive reactive armour.
The T-90 is fitted with the Shtora-1 defensive aids suite which is produced by Electronintorg of Russia. This system includes infrared jammer, laser warning system with four laser warning receivers, grenade discharging system which produces an aerosol screen and a computerised control system.
It is also fitted with NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection equipment.

Fire control and observation

The T-90S has the 1A4GT integrated fire control system (IFCS) which is automatic but with manual override for the commander. The IFCS contains the gunner's 1A43 day fire control system, gunner's TO1-KO1 thermal imaging sight which has a target identification range of 1.2km to 1.5km and commander's PNK-S sight.
The gunner's 1A43 day FCS comprises: 1G46 day sight / rangefinder with missile guidance channel, 2E42-4 armament stabiliser, 1V528 ballistic computer and DVE-BS wind gauge.
The commander's PNK-4S sight includes a TKN-4S (Agat-S) day / night sight which has identification ranges of 800m (day) and 700m (night).
The driver is equipped with a TVN-5 infrared night viewer.

Propulsion

The T-90S has a liquid-cooled V-84MS 618kW (840hp) four-stroke V-12 piston engine. This engine can be fuelled by T-2 or TS-1 kerosene and A-72 benzine, in addition to diesel. The tank can carry up to 1,600 litres of fuel in the main fuel tanks and fuel drums. The fuel tanks are reinforced with armour plating.
The tank is provided with a snorkel for deep fording and can ford 5m of water with equipment which can be deployed in 20 minutes.
The mechanical transmission includes primary reduction gear, two planetary final gearboxes and two planetary final drives. The running gear features torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers at one, two and six road wheel stations and tracks with rubber-metallic pin hinges.

 Specifications

Weight     46.5 tonnes (45.8 LT; 51.3 ST)
Length     9.53 m (31 ft 3 in)
Width     3.78 m (12 ft 5 in)
Height     2.22 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew     3

Produced     1995–present
Unit cost     $2.77 - 4.15 million USD in 2011

Although a development of the T-72, the T-90 uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore tank gun, 1G46 gunner sights, a new engine, and thermal sights. Standard protective measures include a blend of regular steel and Kontakt-5 explosive-reactive armor, laser warning receivers, Nakidka camouflage and the Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system. The EMT-7 electromagnetic pulse (EMP) creator is used in testing but not fitted to T-90s in active service. It is designed and built by Uralvagonzavod, in Nizhny Tagil, Russia.

Features

• high reliability of all units and assemblies, as well as the tank as a whole
• formidable main gun and guided missiles
• up-to-date fire control system
• enhanced combat manoeuvrability
• enhanced survivability under attacks of HE and APDS projectiles
• optronic suppression system
• maximal similarity to the T- 72 MBT family providing ease and cost reduction of crew training

Altay Turkey Main Battle Tank

Altay is the 3th generation main battle tank (MBT) of the Republic of Turkey and is being indigenously developed below the Milli Tank Üretim Projesi ALTAY (MITÜP ALTAY) programme (Altay National Tank Project). Altay re going to be the primary national MBT developed for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC).

Altay have the stronger chassis characteristics of the K2 Black Panther MBT. it'll have a re-designed Turkish turret and heavier armour than the K2. it will {also have seven tracked wheels and a extended hull. a choice on the suspension system and different systems has yet to be finalised.

China's Type 90 a Stalking Tiger on World Light Tracked Vehicle Market

In its annual analysis "The Market for Light Tracked Vehicles," the Forecast International Weapons Group reports that it expects the market to produce nearly 9,300 units, worth more than $19.7 billion, through 2021. The international market for light tracked vehicles remains a highly competitive and dynamic environment.

Dean Lockwood, weapons systems analyst at Forecast International, notes that in terms of sheer numbers, China's Type 90 armored personnel carrier (APC) and Type 90 mechanized infantry combat vehicle (MICV) represent the most significant light tracked vehicle production run of the forecast period. As the People’s Liberation Army standardizes its mechanized forces around the Type 90 APCand MICV, Forecast International expects that combined production of these two vehicles will account for about 41 percent of all new light tracked vehicle production worldwide, worth some 9 percent of the market, through 2021.

Meanwhile, new production of the top high-end vehicle – the Igel/Puma – will account for only 10.9 percent of all production through the forecast period. Yet, Lockwood states, "We estimate this program will own 59.5 percent of the total value of the light tracked vehicle market through 2021." Lockwood adds, “For most nations, the expense associated with the modernization and retrofit of high-end light tracked vehicles pales in comparison with the prospect of new procurement.”

Al-Zarrar Pakistani Main Battle Tank

Tank T-59, which has been in use for over 30 years with Pakistan Armoured Corps, is being upgraded by HIT under a phased pogramme since 1990 with a total of 50 upgraded features giving a quantum technological leap to this old tank.

Major features of the upgraded tank are:

a. 125 mm Smooth Bore Gun with compatible Gun Control System & Semi Auto Loader
b. Image Stabilized Fire Control System and (ISFCS)
c. Thermal Imaging (TI) for day/night combat
d. 730 HP Engine
e. Compatible Transmission and Suspension System
f. Add-on/Explosive Reactive Armour

SPECIFICATIONS (Al-Zarrar MBT)
General
Combat Weight: 40 Ton
Crew: 4
Power to Weight: 18.3 HP/Ton
Max Torque/rpm: 305 kgm/1300-1400rpm
Running Gear Suspension
Track: Rubber
Bump Stop: 2 each side
Support Roller: 3 each side
Shock Absorber: Friction Type
Torsion Bars: 10

Czech Army To Sell 134 T-72 Tanks

The Czech Ministry of Defense plans to sell 134 T-72 main battle tanks currently used by the country’s military, reported local newspaper Hospodarske noviny.

The tracked vehicles are most likely to be exported to an African country, according to the Czech newspaper. The sale will be handled by a private company.

“The tanks are still operational, and they can be deployed in case of war,” said Jan Pejsek, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense. In the past, the Czech Republic had sold many of its T-72s to Algeria, the spokesman said. Pejsek said the Czech Army has been gradually shifting its focus away from tanks in favor of lighter military vehicles with higher mobility.

In addition to the T-72s, the Czech land forces have an additional 30 units of the T-72M4 CZ modernized version of the tracked vehicle. The tanks were overhauled by local defense manufacturer VOP from 2001 to 2006. The amount of the contract was 4 billion Czech korunas ($194 million).

Top 10 Best Tanks in the World

1. Type 99 – China

Type 99, a 3rd generation main battle tank operated by the Peoples Liberation Army of China, is the fastest tank in the world. The ZTZ99 MBT is considered one of the 12 best tanks in the world. A unit of Type 99 is worth ¥ 17,417,659 Renminbi, approximately US$2.5 million. It is also known as ZTZ-99 and WZ-123. The newest and much improve variant is the Type 99KM
It is currently the most advanced MBT in the People's Liberation Army. It entered the PLA service in 2001.

 specifications:

• It is equipped with newer modular active protection system
• It has a JD-4 active laser defense system
• It has more powerful engine
• It is also equipped with a 155 mm gun capable of firing next-generation kinetic rounds
• It has sloped turret armor for increased protection
• The driver's compartment is in the front
• The fighting compartment lies directly behind the driver’s compartment
• Its engine is installed in the rear.
• It features a dual-axis stabilized 125mm/50-calibre ZPT98 smoothbore gun.
• It carries Russian anti-tank missiles called 9M119 Refleks.
• This tank can attain a top speed of 80km/h
• It weighs 54 tonnes for Type-99G, 57 tonnes for Type-99A1, 58 tonnes for Type-99A2
• It has a length of 11.0 meters and a width of 3.4 meters
• It is operated by 3 crews 

2. M1A2 Abrams – USA

   The M1A2 Abrams main battle tank is a further development of the M1A1. Currently it is one of the best MBTs in the world. Development of improved M1A1 began in 1988. This MBT in service with USA and Saudi Arabia.

   The Abrams is protected by Chobham composite armor. Protection of the M1A2 was improved by using depleted uranium mesh at the front of the hull and turret. It offers significant protection against all known anti-tank weapons, however overall weight increased comparing with the M1A1. All active service M1A1 tanks have been retrofitted with depleted uranium armor. Ammunition for the main gun is stored in the turret bustle, fitted with blow-out panels. Interior is lined with Kevlar liner for protection against spalling. The M1A2 Abrams can be fitted with explosive reactive armor blocks. Some M1A2 vehicles are equipped with missile countermeasure devices, intended to detect and jam guidance of the laser-guided missiles.

   Vehicle is armed with the M256 120-mm smoothbore gun, originally developed by Rheinmetall and manufactured under license in USA. This gun is loaded manually. The M1A2 has an improved fire control system and it's components. Range of effective fire in excess of 4 km.

   Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, another 7.62-mm MG mounted over the gunner's hatch and 12.7-mm MG mounted over commander's hatch.

   Vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   The M1A2 Abrams is powered by Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel gas turbine engine, developing 1 500 horsepower. This engine can run on any grade of petrol, diesel, kerosene, or jet fuel. It's main drawback is a high fuel consumption and troublesome maintenance. Engine can be replaced in field conditions within 30 minutes.

   The US Army upgrades approximately 1 000 of it's out-dated M1 main battle tanks to the M1A2 standard. There is also an M1A2 SEP (or System Enhancement Program) variant.

 specifications:

Entered service	1992
Crew	4 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight	62.5 t
Length (gun forward)	9.83 m
Hull length	7.92 m
Width	3.48 m
Height	2.44 m
Armament
Main gun	120-mm smoothbore
Machine guns	2 x 7.62-mm, 1 x 12.7-mm
Elevation range	- 9 to + 20 degrees
Traverse range	360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun	40 rounds
Machine guns	12 400 x 7.62, 1 000 x 12.7
Mobility
Engine	Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine
Engine power	1 500 hp
Maximum road speed	67 km/h
Range	425 km
Maneuverability
Gradient	60%
Side slope	40%
Vertical step	1 m
Trench	2.7 m
Fording	1.2 m
Fording (with preparation)	2 m

• It uses a powerful gas turbine engine
• It adopted a sophisticated composite armor
• It has separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety
• It is one of the heaviest tanks in service – 62 metric tons
• It is anticipated to be in U.S. service until the 2050s,
• The tank reaches a speed of 67.72 km/h.
• It costs US$6.21 million 

3. Challenger II – UK 

 

The pride of the UK – the FV4034 Challenger 2, it is the main battle tank (MBT) of British Army and Oman. It is advertises as the world’s most reliable main battle tank. During the 2003 Invasion of Iraq the Challenger 2 tanks operating in the Gulf suffered no total losses to enemy fire.

 specifications:

• It can survive 14 hits from rocket propelled grenades and from one MILAN anti tank missile.
• A unit of Challenger II £4,217,000 or ~$7,921,000
• It weighs 62.5 tonnes
• It has a length 8.3 meters, 11.50 m with gun forward
• Its width 3.5 meters
• It is operated by 4 crews (commander, gunner, loader/operator, and driver)
• It can attain a speed of 59 km/h

K2 Korean new Main Battle Tank

K2 Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Hyundai Rotem - Korea South

The K2 (Korean new Main Battle Tank) designed to lead the future combat environments is the indigenous Korean model that has world class mobility, fire power and survivability.

It has truly incorporated the latest technology and excellent function such as the digital battle management system connected with the C4I system.

Specifications

Crew: 3
Combat weight: 55.000 kg
Length: 10.8 m
Width: 3.6 m
Height: 2.4 m
Ground clearance: 0.45 m (variable: 0.15 to 0.55)
Maximum road speed: 70 km/h
Maximum cross country speed: 50 km/h
Gradient: 60%
Side slope: 30%
Vertical obstacle: 1 m
Trench: 2.74 m
Fording: 4.1 m
Engine: 1500 hp, diesel
Transmission: fully automatic, forward 5, reverse 3
Power weight ratio: 27.3 hp/t
Suspension: all ISU (in-arm suspension unit)

China Presents the New And Improved MBT 3000

China is now offering a new tank, the MBT 3000, for export. The manufacturer says the Chinese Army will begin receiving the MBT 3000 in two years. The 3000 appears to be a 2000 with a slightly more powerful engine, more armor, improved  suspension and running gear and better electronics. While none of the individual changes is radical or greatly improved over MBT 2000, the total number of improvements is substantial.  
The Chinese MBT 2000 (also known as the VT1A) tank is an export model of the Chinese Type 98/99. The MBT 2000 also looks similar to the Type 90/Al Khalid (a Type 90 variant developed by China and Pakistan for Pakistani service). The Type 98/99/90/MBT-2000 vehicles are all "improved T-72s." There were lots of improvements, though, many of them similar to what's found in the Russian T-80UM2. The workmanship on these vehicles is a little better than on the T-80UM2 but the Chinese don't have as much experience building tanks. This has shown itself in the numerous technical glitches that have shown up. The basic T-72 design has been around for over 30 years and has proved reliable, although not particularly effective on the battlefield. That was mostly due to poor crews. The Chinese have moved to volunteer crews and more intensive training, which make any tank more effective. The MBT 2000 is a 49 ton tank with a 125mm gun and a three man crew (plus an autoloader). The MBT 3000 weight only goes up to 51 tons, but overall performance and reliability is greatly improved.

Norinco MBT-3000 Main Battle Tank

                                                      

MBT-3000 Main Battle Tank

Norinco - China

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norinco newest production of Main Battle Tank (MBT) incorporating latest technologies.

Specially designed to meet the challenges of information-technology centric warfare.

Its overall performance and combat capabilities are neck in neck with the world's most advanced main battle tank.

Features

• Featuring an all-electric gun control system.
• One 125 mm gun capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT, HE shells and gun-launched missiles, with a maximum missile range reaching as far as 5000 m.
• A hunter-killer fire control system, plus image stabilized sights for the gunner and the commander.
• One anti-aircraft machine gun remotely controlled by the commander.
• An active protection system that links laser threat warning with smoke shell launching.
• Improved composite armour for hull nose and the front part of the turret.
• A new fire extinguishing and explosion suppression system.
• Original 1300 hp water-cooled turbocharged electronically controlled diesel engine made in China.
• Ch1000B integrated hydro-mechanical transmission system.
• Rigid non-metallic composite side skirts on which reactive armour can be fitted to enhance the body side protection capability.
• A fully digitalized tank.
• Inertial navigation and GPS.
• An excellent air-conditioning system, plus a pressurized collective defensive system against nuclear, biological and chemical attacks.

Specifications

Crew: 3
Combat weight: 52 t
Power-to-weight ratio: 25.0 hp/t
Length (gun forward): 10.10 m
Width (with skirts): 3.50 m
Height (top of turret): 2.40 m
Maximum road speed: 67 km/h
Average cross-country speed: 35 to 40 km/h
Cruising range: 500 km
Maximum gradient: 60%
Trench: 2.70 m
Vertical obstacle: 1.20 m
Fording depth (with preparation): 4 to 5 m
Engine: water-cooled turbocharged electronic controlled, diesel engine with 1300 hp
Transmission: Ch1000B integrated transmission system
Armamnet (main): 125 mm smoothbore gun
Armament (anti-aircraft MG): 1x 12.7 mm MG
Armament (Coaxial): 1x 7.62 mm MG
Armament (grenade launchers): smoke 8x 76 mm
Fire control system: hunter-killer stabilized fire control system, gunner sight integrates aiming with guiding, image stabilized panoramic sight for the commander.
Ammunition (main gun): 38 rds
Automatic loader: 22 rds on loader, loading spedd of 8 rds/min
NBC protection: collective
Night vision system: un-cooled thermal image for driver, 2nd generation cooled thermal imager for gunner and commander 

Missile defense system installed on tank brigade

The IDF has completed the installation of the Trophy active protection system on a first brigade of Merkava MK 4 main battle tanks.

The Trophy system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, creates a hemispheric protected zone around armored vehicles such as the Merkava tank. It successfully intercepted a rocket-propelled grenade last year along the border with the Gaza Strip.

The first brigade to be completely outfitted with the system is the 401st Brigade, which served prominently in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead and in Lebanon during the Second Lebanon War six years ago.

The system is designed to detect and track a threat and counter it with a launched projectile that intercepts the anti-tank missile. The army sped up development of the Trophy following the Second Lebanon War, during which Merkava tanks came under heavy anti-tank missile fire from Hezbollah.

The IDF is now debating whether to begin installing the system on older-model Merkava tanks that are in service or to begin outfitting reserves brigades.

While the installation of the Trophy will continue, the IDF has yet to begin installing a missile defense system on its new Namer armored personnel carrier (APC).

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss issued a report last month slamming the IDF for failing to develop a system for APCs and criticized the Defense Ministry’s decision in 2010 to combine the Trophy with a similar system – called Iron Fist – under development by Israel Military Industries.

Iron Fist launches a projectile that IMI claims makes it effective in intercepting tank shells and not just anti-tank missiles – something Trophy cannot do.

The comptroller’s main criticism centers on the defense establishment’s failure to develop or order an active protection system for the Namer. While Trophy is already being installed on tanks, a decision from 2009 to install Iron Fist on the Namer has been overturned and a replacement has not been found.