TSAMTO, December 15. The Armed Forces of Tanzania demonstrated the VT2 main battle tank of the Chinese corporation NORINCO for the first time at the parade held on December 9 in Dar es Salaam dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the country's independence.
The tank in camouflage paint was transported on a tank truck manufactured by Iveco. It can be assumed that the demonstrated VT2 MBT has been adopted by the Tanzanian Army.
The Tanzanian Armed Forces had previously purchased an upgraded version of the Chinese Type-59 tank, known as the Type-59G, but it was not demonstrated at the parade on December 9. According to The Military Balance 2021 handbook, Tanzania has a total of 45 main battle tanks in service, including 30 T-54/T-55 units and 15 Chinese Type-59G, as well as light tanks, including 30 British FV101 Scorpion, 25 Chinese Type-62 and, presumably, 2 Chinese Type-63A.
Earlier, China supplied various military equipment to Tanzania, including 12 units of 120-mm Type-07PA self-propelled mortars, FB-6A self-propelled sams, 300-mm A100 MLRS and 24 Type-63A light floating tanks.
In February 2018, it was reported about the opening of the Tanzanian Armed Forces training center built by China. This African country continues to strengthen defense cooperation with China and plans to jointly conduct exercises, build infrastructure facilities and purchase Chinese military equipment.
The VT2 is an export version of the Type-96A tank adopted by the People's Liberation Army of China. It was not previously reported about its adoption by any other countries of the world. The combat weight of the VT2 is 42.8 tons, the crew is three people. The tank is equipped with an 800 hp V12 diesel engine and a manual transmission. The maximum speed is 59 km/h, the fuel reserve is 500 km.
The VT2 is armed with a stabilized 125 mm smoothbore cannon and can fire modern ammunition, ensuring the defeat of moving and stationary targets. Standard equipment includes an advanced fire control system, a fire extinguishing system, an anti-WMD protection system, additional fuel tanks in the aft part of the hull.
