Pakistan has reportedly started receiving VT4 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) from China.
A report published in the South Asian Monitor stated that a Chinese company has started delivering the VT4 main battle tanks to Pakistan.
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Earlier In 2019, the Pakistan Army Armoured Corps selected the Cino VT4 tank also known as MBT-3000 to strengthen its armoured divisions.
The report stated that in the 10th International IDEAS defense exhibition in Karachi, Pakistan, a military analyst, Muzammil Hatami announced the selection of the Norinco VT4 to increase the Pakistani armoured vehicle fleet.
Muzammil Hatami said, “VT4 has confirmed for future Pakistan army tank and Alkhalid II main battle tank is in developing phase.”
The monitoring group also stated in its report that a Chinese company called Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group has already started to deliver new VT4 main battle tanks to Pakistan which should receive at least 100 units.
On April 4, Global Times reported that China was delivering customized VT4 main battle tanks to an undisclosed foreign buyer.
While citing video released by NORINCO, China Central Television reported VT4 tanks were being transported by trucks.
In mid-April 2020, at the Chinese tank factory located in Baotou, Inner Mongolia province, the ceremony of shipping the first batch of VT4 main battle tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour (ERA) to ‘a foreign customer’ obviously believed to be Pakistan.
The tanks are not the standard VT4 version and instead are equipped with a different turret boost design. The front design features a new explosive reactive armor.
This upgraded VT4 offers enhancements with extra protection capabilities, the report said, citing military experts. According to the latest pictures released on the Internet, the latest variant of the VT4 is now fitted at the front of the hull with ERA armor Level FY-4 providing protection against Tandem Warhead.
No details on the purchase amount, overall value, and client name have been released.
VT4 is one of the most popular Chinese weapons. It has been sold earlier to Thailand and Nigeria.
