Re: MBT's
 

Thailand apparently has chosen to buy 200 Ukrainian OPLOT tanks according to the following newspapers to replace it's current fleet of M41A3 tanks. Many tanks were considered such as the K-1 (The preferred front runner by the Thai Army.), T-90S and LEOPARD 2A4. These tanks would supplement the existing M60A3 tanks which might see some further modifications themselves, though those sources aren't solid. I believe this would the first export customer for the OPLOT. No dates available at this time, so I'll have to hold off on submitting the tank for the game, and also there is the question of will the military force the issue of it's apparent preferred choice the K-1+ as this has the 120mm in keeping with the other tanks above. This has also lead me to check Thailand's game status for receipt of the CEASAR SPA (Ordered in 2006 as first export customer, with order complete in 2010.) and BTR-3E3 APC (Delivered starting last Sep. 2010.) Still no press release from the manufacturer either of the OPLOT sale.
http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/...plot-mbts.html
http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/101075/
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...soldiers-riled
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnal...lot-tanks.aspx
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/index.php

THIS REQUIRES CLOSE FOLLOW UP!! :capt:
Again these are notes to self.

Regards,
Pat

Re: MBT's
 

The apc should read BTR-3E1 sorry! Both CAESAR and the BTR-3E1 will be on the add list for Thailand.

Regards,
Pat

Re: MBT's
 

..already done


Don

Re: MBT's
 

Thanks, will remove from the list BTR-3E1 and CAESAR and post the info I have for both to appropriate threads. Holding OPLOT info until I get something with good dates on it. It's been a good year for Thailand and S.E. Asia in general game wise. Thanks again!

Regards,
Pat

Re: MBT's
 

Again cleaning the system to better see my refs for PP#1 2011/2012, Besides it's been a little quite around here.

1. A little more insight into the ARJUN MK I, note the "blueprint" drawing which is the first I've seen with pics galore!!
http://www.armyrecognition.com/india...elligence.html

2. ARJUN MK II tanks have been sighted and we're on track! The first is an updated rendering and I believe it to be accurate. Reminds me of a LEO 2A6 K2 PANTHER.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_...k_1006113.html
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...94&c=LAN&s=ASI

3. 120mm rounds getting smarter and smarter.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/25364/

Regards,
Pat

Re: MBT's
 

Re : ARJUN MK II

I've been burnt by drawings in the past so a photo is best but *if* that rendering is accurate it seems similar in many ways to the Japanese Type 10 but without the width restrictions

Don

Re: MBT's
 

Well maybe we just have a "confused" tank!?! I would think if they have a couple of these running around and are initially satisfied with it's performance we'll have pictures by the late Fall to show it off, just my opion, but we have time to get it right.

Regards,
Pat

Re: MBT's
 

Ethiopia has purchased 200 T-72 tanks which will be a combination of the T-72AG/MP upgrades (See last refs.) from the Ukraine unfortunately I have no date information at present so therefore I will not submit the information on the current Patch Post in progress. It'll rest here until I have a date. These tanks are from Ukraine's stock as production of the OPLOT-M slowly grinds along. I'm trying to keep my refs safe, as I'm in the habit of maintaining them in my "Favorites". Don I hope this is not an inconvenience to refer you to a specific post for data when the relevant information becomes available. This tank has been referred to also as the T-72B and is capable of firing the ATGW weapon and is state of the art for a current T-72. Last two refs cover the FCS and Weapons.
http://defense-update.com/wp/20110610_ethiopia_t72.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_...n_1006111.html
http://en.rian.ru/business/20110609/164533812.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201106120043.html
http://www.ukrspecexport.com/index/c...armor/lang/eng
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/t72ag.php
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/t72mp.php
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/t72msavan15.php
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/t72m3.php

These will be much better than their current T-72 tanks. Could these be Ukraine UNIT O34 T-72BV tanks that just came off the field but upgraded as the refs suggust? And does the SAVIN 15 FCS rate a higher VISION (Or TI/GSR.) then 30 based on the info provided above?

Regards,
Pat

Follow up for delivery date to put in a Patch Post.
:capt:

Re: MBT's
 

Couldn't sit on this potential deal it is both big in what is being offered and in the political fallout that might result if approved. As far as the licensed tanks from Spain are concerned I think they are capable of making the 2A6 but it just might be the 2A5, sorry just don't remember off hand. This is a hot topic right now, just providing a sample from the sites I use regularly.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/...02662631e870cf
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...86&c=MID&s=LAN
http://defense-update.com/wp/2011070...di-arabia.html

2. Knew this was coming for a time and it's been mentioned in the refs I've provided for the ARJUN since the start. Now India has decided to proceed with it the T-72M1 upgrades despite how controversial it's been both inside and outside of military circles. I have no data as yet to what extent they'll be upgraded to yet. I'll await info from the "Broadsword" site as well.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_...k_0107111.html

3. Peru going in another direction and apparently the road isn't leading to China.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rica&Itemid=58

4. Finally not a game factor but representative of the issues facing Asia. In this case a matter of "good will" from one of the poorest countries on the planet.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_...a_0107113.html

Regards,
Pat

Re: MBT's
 

Alittle tank and ammo news.

1. The ARJUN MKII trials must be off to a good start, with only half the upgrades in place thus far in the prototypes, IMOD has gone gone ahead and ordered 248 ARJUN MKII tanks. I don't want to say I told you so...yes I do about a year ago. 500 tanks were needed to make the project viable financially though it was in doubt at the time due to pressures from the Army not to buy the the tank. They had no choice after the "duel in the desert" last summer when it ran circles around the newest T-90S tanks from Russia. The T-72's were withdrawn before the competition.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/news123677.html

2. More on the German/Saudi LEOPARD 2A7+ tank deal.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/news123424.html
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...-Saudis-06993/

3. Tank ammo gets more high tech one I addressed in the last Patch, the USA one is newer. First is from DID as well.
http://www.imi-israel.com/home/doc.aspx?mCatID=67056
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...9E4-AKE-06995/


Regards,
Pat