Vietnam produces series of tanks with ERA armor?
The People's Army Television has just published a report on the repair and upgrade of a series of tanks at Factory Z153, in which many T-55M3 tanks with ERA armor appeared.
In a report recently broadcast by the People's Army Television, it was shown that in addition to the first experimental prototype numbered 153 with a 105mm M68 cannon that appeared a long time ago, this report also showed three other vehicles that had completed upgrades, numbered 327, 328 and 469.
These tanks are identified to have been upgraded to the T-55M3 standard with a series of extremely modern equipment, making Soviet-era tanks possess power no less than new generation tanks.
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| Image of T-55M3 tank. |
According to published information, in terms of firepower, 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 be lowered to attack both enemy infantry and vehicles.
The most formidable firepower of the modernized T-55M3 tank is the Israeli 105mm M68/L7 twisted barrel gun. The L7 gun can fire APAM bullets, or bullets with kinetic energy penetrators, with heat insulation, improving the life as well as accuracy when firing.
The gun has a 105 mm caliber, slightly larger than the gun on the original T-54/55 tank, but still ensures the amount of ammunition that the tank carries. In addition, to increase the attack firepower, the T-55M3 tank is also equipped with a coaxial PKT 7.62 mm machine gun - this gun is also produced in Vietnam.
Vietnam's T-54/55 tank modernization program is supported by Israel, so it is not surprising to see a 60mm mortar on the roof of the vehicle. The 60mm mortar is deployed on Israel's Mekava and Magach main battle tanks.
This type of mortar is also self-equipped by Vietnam. With the support of 60mm mortars, tanks can attack more effectively against infantry hiding in fortifications, trenches, or even high-rise buildings.
Through images of the prototypes made public, Russian media stated that Vietnam's upgraded tanks have 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 artillery's ballistic computer. The MAWS6056B sensor is considered modern, even the advanced French main battle tank Leclerc is using this sensor.
Not only is the firepower system greatly enhanced, the T-55M3 also becomes much safer when 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-55M3 is designed in Western style, and is considered to have much higher defensive effectiveness than the old turret.
According to the plan, the second generation ERA explosive reactive armor 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.
According to Lenta's guess, the T-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.
Russian media said that with the huge changes of the T-55M3, Vietnam has transformed the tanks that were considered outdated into a line of tanks with offensive and defensive power not inferior to new generation tanks.
