Mbt-3000

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Type 99's road wheels appear similar, if not identical, to those on the t-72. But gaps between each pair of road wheels appears to be substantially larger. So it seems to me that type 99 hull is significantly longer than that of t-72. This would significantly increase type99's weight for the same level of side protection as on the t-72.

I have not seen photos of type 99's power pack. But I understand it is based on German MTU design. German tank power packs seems to all be designed with the crankshafts running front and back, while Russian MBT power packs seem to generally to have the crank shaft run side to side. This suggests type 99 needs a longer hull compared to t-72 in order to accommodate the German designed power pack.

I would be careful when claiming that the T99 has the same level of side protection as the T-72, especially when the T99 has significantly different turret design and armor composition (hence armor density and weight); it would be like erroneously comparing an Abrams to a King Tiger tank purely based on weight and dimension.
 

chuck731

Banned Idiot
I would be careful when claiming that the T99 has the same level of side protection as the T-72, especially when the T99 has significantly different turret design and armor composition (hence armor density and weight); it would be like erroneously comparing an Abrams to a King Tiger tank purely based on weight and dimension.

That was neither the claim nor the point. The point is that, IF, Type99 and T72 had comparable levels of side protection deriving from armor of comparable weight to protection ratio, than Type 99 would be heavier than T72 because type 99 has more side to protect.
 

by78

General
An early example of MBT-3000 in the prototype shop.

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nemo

Junior Member
That was neither the claim nor the point. The point is that, IF, Type99 and T72 had comparable levels of side protection deriving from armor of comparable weight to protection ratio, than Type 99 would be heavier than T72 because type 99 has more side to protect.

It's not that simple -- T72 actually has better protection in the front +/- 60 degree arch because side in that instance is protected by the front armor due to the shape of the turret -- which is where the tank is expected to be hit most often.
 

by78

General
Latest on MBT-3000. It appears a few design changes have been made to: 1) headlights, 2) side skirts, 3) turret add-on armor now resembles that of Type-99, 4) grenade dispensers have been relocated, 5) new commander sight from Type-99A2, 6) no remote weapons station on this version, 7) added a milli-wave ballistic radar, 8) an addition of some sort of (optical?) sensor assembly atop the turret between the hatches, 9) re-designed undercarriage structure, 10) additional sensors assemblies can be seen in each turret frontal corner (possibly cameras and/or milli-wave radars for active self-defense?), and 11) an unknown sensor on the turret (highlighted with green box).

These are the differences I can spot. If you see more, please point them out.

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High-resoluton (2048x1536)
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Last edited:

JackyLiu

New Member
Registered Member
Good news:

Thailand website just reported that a deal has been made to import a batch of VT-4 tanks from Norinco for the Royal Thai Army.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


The amount hasn't been revealed but is speculated to be up to 150 units. Could be the first deal of VT-4 export Norinco has ever made. Congratulations ~
 
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