Pakistan Army has formally confirmed the induction of the state of the art Chinese origin third-generation Main Battle Tank VT-4 in its defensive arsenal.
According to the official statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum to witness the demonstration of the Main Battle Tank VT-4 on Tuesday.
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While addressing the officers following the demonstration, General Bajwa expressed satisfaction over the performance of VT-4.
Pakistan has consolidated its defensive capabilities with the induction of VT-4 tank. Pakistan Army is alive to emerging regional threats while focusing on internal challenges at the same time.
This year in July, Pakistan Army also inducted the upgraded version of indigenously developed Main Battle Tank Al Khalid-I.
About VT-4
Weighing around 52 tons, a VT-4 tank is 10.10 meters long with gun forward, 3.40 meters wide, and 2.30 meters high.
3 crew members can fit in a VT-4 tank which has an operational range of 500 km and a top speed of 70 km/h.
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In terms of armament, a VT-4 tank has a 125mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing APFSDS, HESH, HEAT and HE rounds and guided missiles. There is also a remote weapon station on its turret armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
The fire control system of the VT-4 has hunter-killer capabilities, a laser rangefinder, panoramic sight, and a third-generation thermal imaging system.
Where protection is concerned, a VT-4 tank is equipped with an explosive reactive armor, GL5 active protection system, defensive grenade launchers, and a laser warning device.
Besides, a VT-4 tank features an IFF system, NBC protection, explosion suppression system, fire extinguishing system, and air conditioning system.
To Bhai Al-Khalid tank achar daalnay kay liay rakha hua hay?. Why we are buying directly from Chinese when we have POF Wah and Taxila manufacturing Factories, Al Khalid tank and Al Zarrar tank projects and NDC is functioning as well?. Please atleast produce these basic things locally. Dont get lazy and stop buying everything from abroad.
They have only inducted it. Means it will be indigenized at POF Wah & HIT Taxila. However, this is advance technology and may not be considered as a basic item. Should you have any query please feel free to connect with POF & HIT.
We should focus on the local research and development so that we can develop the advance technologies locally. Also Al Khalid tank can be modified with new technology. For example HIT can start Al Khalid II project for the future and so on. Our focus should be to outpar China and other countries so that we can export our defense products to other countries. Otherwise we will always be importing from other advanced countries. Self reliance is very important for our progress.