[Xploit Machine]

First Footage Of VT-4 Tank Damage In Service With Thai Army Appears

The first known image of the Thai army’s main battle tank RTA VT-4 with a torn off gun barrel and seriously damaged systems has been posted online. The footage from X account T-55AM1 shows damage to the barrel, optical elements of the fire control system, and the laser warning system. The circumstances of the tank’s damage have not been officially disclosed, but the nature of the damage indicates a severe combat damage that cannot be quickly repaired in the field. The VT-4 is an export version of the Chinese main battle tank developed by NORINCO Corporation and actively promoted in the Southeast Asian markets.

Thailand purchased the VT-4 after the contract with Ukraine for the supply of BM Oplot-T tanks, which were supposed to replace the Royal Thai Army’s outdated armored vehicle fleet, was canceled. As a result, the VT-4 became a direct competitor to the Ukrainian Oplot-T in the Thai tender, winning due to faster delivery times and political factors. Earlier, the Chinese manufacturer positioned the VT-4 as a modern armored personnel carrier with a digital fire control system, laser-guided protection and a powerful 125 mm gun.

Source https://militarnyi.com/en/news/first...-army-appears/

[Xploit Machine]

Does THIS Chinese-Made Battle Tank’s Gun Barrel Explode If Used Repeatedly? Thailand Begins Probe After Cambodia Embarrassment

A Chinese VT-4 main battle tank’s systems failed when the main gun ruptured while engaging Cambodian forces, and the Royal Thai Army suspects it could be caused by a manufacturing defect, among other reasons. Three Royal Thai Army personnel were hurt when the main gun of their Chinese VT-4 main battle tank ruptured, reports said. The tank was in action when the damage happened, leaving its barrel shattered, rendering the vehicle combat ineffective while on the line of fire, reports said.

During the mishap, it was not just the main armament of the tank that was damaged but its laser warning system, as well as fire control and targeting systems, also took a hit. Material fatigue, manufacturing defects, ammunition issues, and operational factors are all among the suspected causes for the embarrassing failure. The development was confirmed by the Royal Thai Army, which claimed that the cause of the incident is still under technical investigation. It added that the tank was taking fire, and the main gun was repeatedly being used when the rupturing happened.


The Chinese VT-4 Tanks

Also known as MBT-3000, the VT-4 is in service since 2017. It is a third-generation Chinese Main Battle Tank from the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). The VT-4’s dimensions are comparable to the Indian Army’s Russian-origin T-90 tanks.

Like the Indian Army's T-90 tanks, the VT-4 has a 125mm gun that can fire both conventional tank rounds and also missiles. Images of the VT-4 tank from Tuesday's exercise show it is equipped with a remote weapon system atop the turret. A remote weapon system on a tank typically is a small gun that is controlled remotely and is useful against infantry and other light targets. The VT-4 main battle tank has a road speed of 70 km/h and 50 km/h in cross-country conditions.

In 2020, Pakistan Army had ordered at least 176 VT-4 tanks at a cost of $859 million. Nigeria is a third known foreign user of VT-4 apart from Thailand and Pakistan.

[DarkSighted]

Heh... "manufacturing defect".... kinda like China selling DeepSeek kits to other countries, but with backdoors and less significantly less robust/secure code...

[rohmell]

Posing the image here in case the linky-poo disappears someday.