The latest Chinese VT-4 will displace outdated British tanks in Nigeria

The Nigerian Ground Forces continue to operate outdated British Vickers Mk tanks.3, however, it is expected that they will soon be replaced by the latest Chinese-made VT-4.

The first batch of Vickers Mk.3 was acquired by the defense department of this state forty years ago. In total, according to various sources, a little more than 80 combat vehicles were received. Currently, only a few dozen remain on the move, and from time to time they are thrown into battle against terrorist groups operating on the territory of the country.

These tanks are armed with 105 mm guns with fifty rounds of ammunition. There is also a paired 7.62 mm machine gun (2600 rounds) and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun with a stock of 700 rounds.

The American-made diesel engine with a capacity of 720 hp allows you to reach a maximum speed on the highway up to 60 km / h. The fuel reserve is 490 km . Combat weight - 40,000 kg. The crew is 4 people.

The biggest disadvantage of tanks is considered to be weak armor protection by modern standards, so, in the frontal part of the hull and turret, it does not exceed 80 mm, and in the sides - 60 mm. Therefore, it is not surprising that these vehicles often become easy targets for militants using outdated rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

As reported, the Nigerian military is trying to use the T-72AV with dynamic protection in combat.

At the same time, in the spring of last year, it became known about the arrival of several Chinese VT-4 main battle tanks in the country. They carry powerful multi-layered armor, a modern fire control system with thermal imaging sights. 125 mm smoothbore guns can fire both projectiles of various types and guided missiles. There are two machine guns: 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm.

The engine power is 1300 hp. The maximum speed on the highway is 70 km/h. The power reserve is 500 km. Crew - 3 people. Weight - 51000 kg.

There is no exact data on the number of cars purchased yet, but, according to military experts, due to the relative high cost, it is unlikely that they will be able to completely replace the entire existing Vickers Mk fleet.3. Therefore, for the complete modernization of the Nigerian tank fleet, simpler VT-2s, recently seen in Tanzania, or modified T-72s, which are well mastered by local tankers, would be better suited.

Alexey Moiseev