Chinese defense company NORINCO unveils at China AirShow 2022 its new VT4A1,
a modernized version of the VT4 Tank that was unveiled for the
first time to the public
"The VT4 is a China-made battle tank with a 125mm main fire cannon. Development of the 50 plus ton tank can be traced back to 2007.
The new modernized version of the VT4A1 featuring new improvements in terms of protection and firepower.
The layout of the VT4A1 is similar to the original VT4 with the driver position at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. The turret design has been slightly modified, indeed, the bank of smoke grenade dischargers has been removed and replaced by the radar detection system of the APS mounted on each side of the turret.
Each side of the roof turret is equipped with a launcher unit which is part of the APS and consists of two tube launches able to fire the countermeasure on 360° around the tank. Each launcher is able to launch (High Explosive)-fragmentation grenades used to intercept different types of threats including (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) and fired from tank guns.
The VT4A1 seems to be fitted with a new armor package, in fact, the design of the front and sides of the turret are different from the original VT4. The sides of the hull are also fitted with new armor plates which protect the entire upper part of the suspension. The VT4A1 maintains the original suspension consisting of six large dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and track return rollers.
The roof of the turret is also fitted with a new ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) to increase the protection of the tank against aerial or drone attacks. The tank seems also to be fitted with a new panoramic sight.
The Chinese defense industry, the VT4A1 is now able to launch small attack drones like kamikaze drones.
It has its predecessor's power plus modern technologies – an onboard drone that can be shot up to the sky for surveillance and an active defense system.
CHENG ZIHENG Weaponry specialist China North Industries Group Corporation "We can see that this is an unmanned aerial vehicle carriage. The UAV is stored in the loading box. If we have to send it to the sky, the drone will be pushed out, open its wings and take off.
"The tanks' reconnaissance range is about 4-5 kilometers. But if we encounter an enemy attack 10 kilometers away, we cannot detect it. Or people in tanks cannot tell if there is any special terrain 10 kilometers away nor do we know if there is a better path. Now, we have this UAV. When it flies, we have the view from the sky, just like another eye in the sky. Then the tank can see a wider range."
The next generation technology makes this China-made battle tank a strong contender to compete in advanced warfare.
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