The Thai Army (Royal Thai Army) has so far operated 22 Norinco VT4 Main Battle Tank (MBT) units. And there is news that the 6th Battalion, 6th Regiment, 3rd Division of the Thai Army has received delivery of 12 of the newest VT4 MBTs from China. VT4 is an export variant of the MBT-3000, namely the MBT produced by Norinco (China North Industries Group Corporation) used by the Chinese Army.
Strengthened by VT4 MBTs from China, the Thai Army has a unique cavalry force posture. Apart from operating dozens of VT4 MBTs from China, the country that was once the US's main ally in the Vietnam War, also still operates older MBTs from the US, namely the M60A1 (53 units), M60A3 (125 units), and M48A5 (105 units).
In addition, the Thai Army has 49 T-84 Oplot MBTs from Ukraine, and 50 Type 69 MBs from China, both of which are in storage. From the start, Norinco targeted this MBT design for the export market.
The VT4 is the third generation MBT designed by Norinco. In a scale model, the VT4 was first shown to the public at Eurosatory 2012 in Paris, France. Only later, a prototype of this tank was shown at the 2014 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China. Historically, the MBT-3000 or VT4 project was initiated in 2009, where Norinco collaborated with the First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory and several other companies.
Using welded steel construction, the gross weight of this MBT reaches 52 tons. The main weaponry that the VT4 carries is a 125mm smoothbore cannon. This cannon is capable of releasing APFSDS, HESH, HEAT, HE munitions and even anti-tank missiles which have a shooting range of 5 km.
At the top of the dome, there is a 12.7 mm remotely controlled heavy machine gun (RCWS). Accompanying the movement of the 125 mm barrel, there is a coaxial medium machine gun of 7.62 mm caliber.
The communication system between the crew is completely digital and the fire control system is equipped with hunter killer capabilities, laser rangefinder, panoramic sight and third generation thermal imaging system. What's interesting is that the VT4 is equipped with the GL5 active protection system (APS) feature, where four fire control radar units in each corner of the tank can detect an area of 100 meters around the tank.
APS is predicted to be a high-level protection technology for tank crews, especially from the threat of anti-tank weapons on their shoulders. Of course, smoke grenade launchers and nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection systems are also available.
The VT4 is manned by three personnel – commander, driver and gunner. The driver's seat is located in the center of the forward hull with a single hatch. The commander sits on the right of the turret, while the gunner sits on the left side. This tank has also adopted a fire extinguisher and explosion suppression system.
The VT4 engine is supported by a 1,200 hp turbocharged diesel engine mounted at the rear which is supported by a hydro-mechanical drive system. The VT4 can drive on smooth roads up to 70 km per hour and 50 km per hour in uneven road conditions. In full fuel condition, the VT4's cruising range is up to 500 km.
Not long ago, Pakistani media revealed that the VT4 production process was being carried out in Pakistan, namely under a Chinese license by the Heavy Industry Taxila (HIT) manufacturer in Pakistan. The VT4 MBT is produced at the same location where HIT produces the Al-Khalid MBT (licensed from the Chinese Type 90 MBT).