Vietnamese tanks are equipped with explosive reactive armor.

The successful manufacture of explosive reactive armor by the Institute of Propellants and Explosives (General Department of Defense Industry) has opened up the opportunity to "transform" Vietnam's existing T-54/55 tanks.

According to public information, the initial program to modernize Vietnam's T-54/55 tanks supported by Israel was designated as the T-55M3, so it is not surprising that heavy weapons of foreign origin appeared alongside equipment produced by Vietnam itself.

Some of the main improvements of the T-55M3 include: replacing the 100 mm D-10T2S main gun with a 105 mm M-68 gun and fire control system, adding a 60 mm mortar; equipping Blazer explosive reactive armor; improving the engine (increasing capacity from 520 to 580 horsepower).

However, the T-55M3 upgrade program was canceled. Currently, the Vietnamese tank force still only uses the original T-54/55 tanks. However, there is information showing that we seem to be making efforts to upgrade this tank model in parts.

T-55M3 tank after upgrade

Recently, the Institute of Military Technical Automation (TĐHKTQS) under the Institute of Military Science and Technology (KH-CN), Ministry of National Defense has researched, designed and tested the installation of a fire control system on T-54/55 tanks.

A force control system (FCS) is a collection of components working together, typically a gun data computer, sight, and radar (possibly on a tank) designed to assist the weapon system in engaging a target.

With FCS, tanks will be able to calculate shooting and aiming data faster and more accurately.

The T-54/55 tanks that Vietnam uses were produced by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s, so they usually only have day/night sights for the commander and gunner to aim and shoot. Therefore, equipping the FCS will significantly increase the tank's combat capability on the modern battlefield.

In addition to upgrading the fire control system, Vietnam is researching explosive reactive armor to upgrade the armor of T-54/55 tanks.

Vietnam tests T-55M3 tank

Specifically, the Institute of Propellants and Explosives (General Department of Defense Industry) has successfully researched and manufactured a type of armor for tanks that can withstand attacks from a number of weapons, especially the B-72 anti-tank missile (AT-3) - an effective anti-tank weapon that is being used by many countries around the world.

The explosive reactive armor consists of three parts: the explosive element, the armor body and the mounting mechanism, in which the explosive element is the main part with the function of preventing penetration, designed with the explosive charge sandwiched between two steel plates.
Explosive reactive armor increases the tank's protection against conventional anti-tank weapons with a penetration depth of ≤ 450 mm./.

According to baodatviet