According to Russian media, after Vietnam's T-55 tanks were upgraded by Israel to the T-55M3 standard, these tanks were completely transformed in both offense and defense.
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| Firepower: According to this source, the upgraded tank is equipped with a 12.7 mm NSV heavy machine gun made in Vietnam, which is capable of attacking low-flying aerial targets such as helicopters, UAVs... In battlefield conditions, the gun can also lower its barrel to attack both enemy infantry and vehicles. |
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| However, the most formidable firepower of the modernized T-54/55M3 tank is the Israeli 105mm M68/L7 gun. The L7 can fire APAM bullets, or bullets with kinetic energy penetrators, with heat insulation, improving the life and accuracy of the shot. |
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| The gun has a caliber of 105 mm, slightly larger than the 100 mm gun on the unupgraded T-54/55 tank, but still ensures the amount of ammunition that the tank carries. In addition, to increase the attack firepower, the T-54/55M3 tank is also equipped with a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. According to Lenta, the machine gun is also produced by Vietnam. |
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| Vietnam's T-54/55 tank modernization program is supported by Israel, so it is not surprising that a 60mm mortar appears on the roof of the tank. The 60mm mortar is deployed on Israel's Mekava and Magach main battle tanks. This type of mortar is also equipped by Vietnam itself. With the support of the 60mm mortar, the tank can attack more effectively against infantry hiding in fortifications, trenches, or even high-rise buildings. |
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| Through the images of the prototypes that have been made public, Lenta determined that Vietnam's upgraded tank has been equipped with the MAWS6056B meteorological sensor manufactured by the Swiss company Idram. The MAWS6056B sensor provides meteorological parameters such as wind direction and speed, temperature and atmospheric pressure to the cannon's ballistic computer. The special thing is that the MAWS6056B sensor is considered modern, even the advanced French main battle tank Leclerc is using this sensor. |
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| Defense system: Regarding the defense system, the tank is equipped with Israeli Blazer ERA explosive reactive armor. The two sides of the turret are designed with V-shaped beveled reaction assemblies to increase the ability to disperse the penetrating force of the warhead, and the rear is equipped with cage armor. Overall, the turret of the T-54/55M3 is designed in a Western style, and is considered to have much higher defensive efficiency than the old turret. |
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| According to the plan, the second generation explosive reactive armor ERA developed by Vietnam will also be installed in "important" positions of the tank, especially in front of the turret and the nose of the vehicle. |
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| To enhance the tank's survivability, the track system is also reinforced with side armor, similar to the track armor on foreign tanks. The two sides of the tank's turret are also equipped with a smoke grenade launcher system (contained in a large box), to release smoke to hide when the tank is lasered by the enemy or is being aimed at. |
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| According to Lenta's guess, the T-54/55M3 version is equipped with a new 1,000 horsepower diesel engine made in Germany. With this engine, the tank's mobility will be significantly increased. The vehicle is also equipped with a Russian-made FCS fire control system, perhaps this is the only Russian device implemented on their own upgraded tank. |
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| It can be said that through the details of the weapon systems, defense, engine, computer... installed on the upgraded T-54/55M3 tank, its effectiveness is proven. In the exercise at the end of 2011 to test the upgraded weapons and equipment of the Ministry of National Defense, the T-55M3 tank participated in test firing and was highly appreciated by military officials, in which, the vehicle was able to fire while moving, the ability to rotate the turret was also faster than before. |
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| However, this is not the only Israeli upgrade package to increase the power of the T-54/55 that Vietnam can refer to. Specifically, Israel has just launched a new upgrade package for many types of tanks, including the T-54/55 with a completely new TISAS fire control system. With TISAS, the equipped tank will increase combat effectiveness and productivity by providing combat data during both day and night, poor visibility conditions allowing firepower to accurately hit enemy targets from the first shot at long range. |
According to Baodatviet
