| VT-4 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017–present |
| Used by | See§ Operators |
| Wars | 2025 Cambodia–Thailand clashes |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Norinco |
| Manufacturer | Norinco Heavy Industries Taxila |
| Unit cost | $4.9 million |
| Produced | 2017–present |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 52 tonnes (57 short tons) |
| Length | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Width | 3.44 m (11.3 ft) |
| Height | 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) |
| Armour | composite armour andExplosive reactive armour (ERA) |
Main armament | ZPT-98A 125 mm (4.9 in)smoothbore gun, 38 rounds (22 in theautoloader) |
Secondary armament | 1 ×RWS 12.7 mm (0.50 in)AAHMG 1 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in)coaxial MG |
| Engine | VT/E1 V12diesel engine 1,200 hp (895 kW) at 2,300 rpm |
| Power/weight | 23 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | Ch1000B automatic(6 FWD/2 REV) |
| Suspension | torsion bars |
| Ground clearance | 43 cm (1 ft 4.93 in) |
Operational range | 500 km (310 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
TheVT-4 (Chinese:VT-4主战坦克;pinyin:VT-4 zhǔzhàn tǎnkè), also known as theMBT-3000,[2] is a Chinesemodernizedmain battle tank built byNorinco for overseas export.[3]
During the development ofType 90-II/Al-Khalid (also known as MBT-2000) in the 1980s, the gearbox and engine were originally imported from Germany, but this plan was abandoned due to a Western arms embargo. Thepowertrain instead was sourced from Ukraine, the same for most Chinese export vehicles at the time.[4]
China eventually developed domestic powertrains, which led to the creation of the MBT-3000 program for export customers. MBT-3000 was the successor of the Type-90II (MBT-2000) export tank.[3] The MBT-3000 project later named as VT-4 began development in 2009 as a co-operation with theFirst Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory and other companies.[3]
The MBT-3000 concept debuted at the 2012Eurosatory.[5] The tank was subsequently shown at the 2014 Norinco Armour Day[6] and the 10thChina International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition as the VT-4.
The VT-4 shares many subsystems technology and features from other latest Chinese main battle tanks such asType 96B andType 99A. Key examples are an automatic transmission system, 125 mm smoothbore cannon, muzzle reference system, FY-4 ERA, carousel-styleautoloader, and overall geometry.[3]
The VT-4 has aZPT-98A 125 mm smoothbore gun capable of firingAPFSDS,HEAT and HE rounds and gun-launchedanti-tank guided missiles. There is also aremote controlled weapon station on the turret armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. Thefire-control system has a panoramic sight withhunter-killer capabilities. The gunner sight features a laser rangefinder and aThales Catherine-FC thermal imager.
The tank is protected by dual-layer protection consisting ofcomposite armour and FY-4explosive reactive armour.[7] According to the chief designer Feng Yibai, the frontal protection force is equivalent to 500 mm homogeneous steel armour, and the explosive reactive armour is around 700 mm.[3] The front turret has wedge-shaped armour similar to other contemporary Chinese MBT's and the hull sides have conventional metal sideskirts. The VT-4A1 variant is equipped with a 'hardkill'active protection system designatedGL5, defensive grenade launchers and alaser warning device.[3] The vehicle also has anIFF system,NBC protection, explosion-suppression system, fire-extinguishing system and air conditioning.[citation needed]
According to Norinco, the VT-4 uses a locally produced 1,200 hp (895 kW) VT/E1 diesel engine withtorsion bar suspension and an Ch1000B automatic transmission.[3][8][9][10] Steering and acceleration is handled by a steering wheel andautomatic gear transmission.[3] VT-4 is also capable ofneutral steering.
The tank is also integrated with digital communications systems for tank to tank communication and communication between commanders.[3]
Nigeria − 6+ in service as of 2025.
Pakistan − 680 ordered in 2023. Officially inducted into service in 2021.[13][14]
Thailand − 62 in service as of 2025.
Media related toVT-4 tanks at Wikimedia Commons| Main battle tank andLight tanks |
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Background:History of the tank,Tank classification | |
