VT-4
Summary
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Sub-type | Main battle tank |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Number built | None units |
| Est. avg unit price | $4.9 million |
Technical specifications
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) personnels |
| Range | 500 km |
| Mass | 52.0 tons |
| Height | 2.4 m (7.9 ft) |
| Width | 3.44 m (11.3 ft) |
| Length | 10.1 m (33.1 ft) |
| Max. speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
| Engine | VT/E1 V12 diesel engine 1,200 hp (895 kW) at 2,300 rpm |
| Weapon 1 | ZPT-98A 125 mm smoothbore gun |
| Weapon 2 | 1 × RWS 12.7 mm AA HMG |
| Weapon 3 | 1 × 7.62 mm coaxial MG |
| Weapon 4 | launcher for small attack drones |
Further Reading
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Description
The VT-4, also designated MBT-3000, is a main battle tank developed by Norinco for the export market. It originated from the MBT-3000 program, which commenced in 2009 as a successor to the Type 90-II (MBT-2000). While earlier Chinese export tanks relied on foreign-sourced powertrains due to Western arms embargoes, the VT-4 was designed to utilize domestically developed components. The MBT-3000 concept debuted at the 2012 Eurosatory before being rebranded as the VT-4 for the 2014 Norinco Armour Day.
The vehicle incorporates subsystems from the Type 96B and Type 99A. Protection consists of composite armor and FY-4 explosive reactive armor (ERA). According to the chief designer, frontal protection is equivalent to 500 mm of homogeneous steel armor, while the ERA provides approximately 700 mm of protection. The turret features a wedge-shaped design, and the hull is fitted with metal sideskirts. The main armament is a ZPT-98A 125 mm smoothbore gun, fed by a carousel-style autoloader. The gun is capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT, and HE rounds, as well as gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles. Secondary armament includes a remote-controlled weapon station with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The fire-control system includes a panoramic sight with hunter-killer capability, a laser rangefinder, and a Thales Catherine-FC thermal imager.
Mobility is provided by a 1,200 hp VT/E1 diesel engine paired with a Ch1000B automatic transmission and torsion bar suspension. The tank is capable of neutral steering and uses a steering wheel for operation. Digital communications systems are integrated for tank-to-tank and command-level data exchange. The VT-4A1 variant includes a modified turret with radar panels, a GL5 hard-kill active protection system, and a launcher for small attack drones.
The VT-4 operates in several countries, including Nigeria, Thailand, and Pakistan. Nigeria received an initial delivery in 2020 and deployed the tank during Operation Tura Takai Bango against Boko Haram. One Nigerian unit was confirmed destroyed by an RPG, and another reportedly experienced a main gun failure during a military display. Thailand acquired the VT-4 to replace its M41 Walker Bulldog fleet. In December 2025, a Thai VT-4 was damaged during a border conflict with Cambodia when its main gun barrel ruptured. Pakistan inducted the vehicle in 2021 and unveiled an indigenously manufactured variant named the Haider in 2024. During a dynamic display at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, a VT-4 experienced a mechanical stall while traversing an artificial incline.