In the late 1970s, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and Laos, and engaged in border military conflicts with Thailand.
Since then, Thailand has been vying with Vietnam in military development, maintaining a stance of matching Vietnam's capabilities to avoid falling behind.
This competition is particularly evident in tank equipment: Vietnam has equipped itself with Russia's T-90 tanks, while Thailand has procured China's VT-4 tanks.
VT-4 vs. T-90: Which is Stronger?
It is clear that among the tanks used by Thailand and Vietnam, the VT-4's performance surpasses that of the T-90.
It can even be argued that the VT-4 might be superior to China’s own 99A tanks.
This is because the 99A tanks, as China's main battle tanks, need to balance performance with cost-effectiveness.
China currently fields thousands of main battle tanks, with over a thousand being 99A models.
Given the large number, cost control per tank is crucial. If each 99A tank were one million RMB more expensive, the total cost difference would be in the billions, not including subsequent maintenance and upgrades.
Thus, the 99A tank compromises on certain performance aspects, such as its frontal protection, which significantly diminishes when the angle exceeds 30 degrees.
In contrast, the VT-4, as an export tank, does not have these limitations.
Thailand has only purchased around 50 VT-4 tanks, so the slightly higher cost per unit is less significant.
Additionally, Thai customers are willing to pay a premium for better performance.
Advantages of the VT-4
While the 99A tank is more advanced in terms of electronics and information systems, the VT-4 excels in specific performance aspects like protective angles.
The 99A's strengths lie in its superior observation and targeting systems and its connectivity with China’s satellite systems. The VT-4, however, is lauded for its excellent protection performance.
Background of the T-90
The T-90 tank is actually an improved version of the T-72.
Many assume that higher model numbers indicate more advanced equipment, but this is not necessarily true in the context of Russian tanks.
Russia's most advanced tank is the T-80, followed by the T-90, and then the T-72. During the Soviet era, the T-80 was designed for front-line armored assaults, while the T-72 was meant for mass deployment, needing to be numerous and cost-effective.
After the Soviet Union's dissolution, Russia upgraded the T-72 with ceramic composite armor and advanced fire control systems, resulting in the T-90.
However, the T-90 did not significantly improve in terms of electronics and information systems, remaining comparable to the T-72 in these areas.
VT-4 Data Leak Incident
In December 2023, a Thai player of the game "War Thunder," dissatisfied with the in-game performance of the VT-4, leaked over 600 pages of technical data on the VT-4 online.
The leaked information revealed that the VT-4's basic armor strength reaches 550ke/750ce, and with FY-2 reactive armor, it reaches 750ke/1300ce, with a reverse speed of 17 km/h.
These specifications indicate that the VT-4 stands out in global export tank performance, offering great value for its price.
Although it falls short of the 99A in terms of electronics and information systems, the VT-4’s armor protection is excellent.
Overall, the VT-4 tank outperforms the T-90 in terms of overall performance.
Despite the T-90 being an upgraded version of the T-72, its performance still does not match the newly designed VT-4.
The VT-4 excels in protection and mobility, making it a cost-effective export tank. The T-90 does not have significant advantages over the VT-4 in comparison.
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