MBT's

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

More but, not much more on China's light tank.
http://www.janes.com/article/66681/c...new-light-tank
https://sputniknews.com/asia/2017010...ng-light-tank/

Note: From the picture of the ref. 2 you can see it has two turret "blow out" panels. The gun radar is covered on the top of the turret but, I've and others have posted pictures of it uncovered.

It looks like sina.com only archives their articles back around 60 days. Have tried other searches within the site with no luck so far. I'm sure the above two did get the article and "cherry picked" the most important information from it for their articles. I would say the following are settled: 1) MG is a 105mm. 2) It can fire ATGW weapons how many not sure though the TYPE 99 Series normally carry 4 of them onboard. 3) I feel they do have them fielded but I would guess no sooner then mid-2015 from the fragments of information we've gotten to this point. One of these are the fact that China was looking for a tank that could exploit the mountainous terrain should a conflict develop with India and the reports are consistent that that's where these tanks are being shipped to those bordering southern providence's. Even the Indian ref. BROADSWORD has commented on this a couple of times as posted in here.

Working it.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well if I would've looked at one of my regular "newspapers" I could've added this to my last post. My apologies. The good news here is this does start to close the loop concerning the Chinese ZTQ LT a bit more to where it should be feasible to enter it into the game now or "twink it" if it's in already (Haven't had the time to check for it.) and I missed it. We can do this by using the generic ref 1 story that adds a piece to the puzzle when combined with the last two entered yesterday and I had forgotten about the export version that I already had an inkling about from another source well it was very early in the morning when I posted!?! OK-nobody is buying it, but, that export version is known as the VT5. So that's what ref. 2 is about.

The only issue I have at the moment concerning ref. 2 as it relates to the ZTQ is, that I've not seen pictures of it that the Chinese themselves are using the RWS shown for VT5. What I've seen is the standard 12.7mm RWS as shown in the Thai story.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/janua..._10401171.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/china..._11711164.html

Been tracking this for awhile, though the date we have for Thailand receiving the Ukrainian T-84 OPLOT-M is still good, the Russian incursion and support of the "rebels" slowed production of these tanks to the point that Thailand had to look at other options to eventually if I remember correctly, buy ~250 new tanks to finally retire it's M-41 tank fleet that they've been operating for 60 years (Since 1957.) now. I had already posted on this issue and ref. 2 of this story in particular. The Ukraine will full fill this order fully by Oct. 2017. It'll come down to these two tanks I believe if any further orders are made. They'll certainly have an opportunity to test them "head-to-head" under real conditions for awhile I should imagine. Of the I believe four or so tanks (The LEO 2A4 was given a second look again but, the cost was too high again.) they were looking at they chose the Chinese ZT4 or as it's better known as the MBT-3000.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/janua..._10501162.html

For your consideration and my tracking. I expect the delivery by JUN. 2017 based on training preps we saw concerning the OPLOT-M I would expect them (ZT4) to be fielded by Oct. 2017.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/janua..._10301176.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/china..._video_uk.html

Going into my "Friday" later today I guess 4am is better than 5am was yesterday-I'm sure the extra hour will keep me sharper on post!?!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Regards,
Pat

[luigim]

In Russian game OOB the tank category must be deleter after One date around 2008 ( Georgia conflict), in Georgia conflict There were some t62 ( very few). T55 were scrapped in the 90's and the majority of t62 too, only some remained in service for training purposes. Even t64bv were officially scrapped ( and in game too they were retired) after 2008, but some remained mothballed for secondary purposes ( we all know what happened in Ukraine separatist tank Force). But, again, delete t55 shortly After 91 and t62 around the 2000's. If you play Quick Battle against Russia, computer choose everytime "tanks" category and only some MBT which is unrealistic, the result is a mixed t72 or t90 Force with old tanks retired from service in reality. Regards

[luigim]

Sources: direct source that says scrapping of retired tanks starts in 2011 http://economy.mil.ru/economy/news/m...1010744@egNews

If you see various years "military balance" you can see that T55 and T62 are falling year to year

CFE treaty listed around 1000 t55 and t62 but in storage! Pratically waiting 2011 scrapping ( there are some photos too)

Unfortunately a lot of sources about old russian tanks disappeared from the internet, specially russian sources like warfare.be

http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/ar...begins-6208-6/

Defencetalk well documented ( from disappeared internet sites) post says that t55 were retired in 1994 - > historically correct because in '94 the old soviet equipment from ex WP countries was totally retired

So two options: retire both tanks in 2011

retire t55 in '94 and retire t62 in 2011 but only because it was in service with MVD ( interior ministry) forces, and only in some cases, for sure t62 saw combat in both chechen wars and 2008 Georgia war, t55 not

The only sure thing we all can see is that fighting in QB's and generated campaigns, Abrams against old russian tanks, in modern times, is unrealistic

[DRG]

OK I've put that on the list to investigate.... This has been a back burner " to investigate " item for awhile for me...thanks for the links and info

[luigim]

Originally Posted by DRG

OK I've put that on the list to investigate.... This has been a back burner " to investigate " item for awhile for me...thanks for the links and info

Maybe the game Can simulate t55 and t62 MVD troops in their counter infantry role with CS tanks, which Can be left in service until the end of the game.

In the First chechen wars in 94-95 There were some mvd t55 but an entire siberian mobilization army division equipped with t62. In the second chechen war There were apparently no army t55 but only some MVD;There were some army t62.

In 2008 georgia There were army and MVD t62 ( choosed over other tanks by the tankers because they were light and Faster in Mountain terra in) but no army t55.

From 2011 army started scrapping of both but There are some t62 left in MVD caucasus garrisons. No t55 MVD info.

This is the most complete synthesis i can do.

Apparently Russian Army is semplifying its tank line, modernizing t72 to b3-b4, returning in service t80um for the arctic, and producing no more t90 waiting for armata

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

While looking into the T-55/T-62 issue I came across this from the ref. below concerning the T-80...
"But Moscow continued to experiment with its T-80s, adding active protection systems–which use millimeter-wave radar to track incoming missiles before launching explosive countermeasures. The resulting T-80UM-1 Bars was revealed in 1997 but did not enter production, probably again because of budget cuts."

If the above is true, this would free up 9 slots in the Russian OOB with the deletion of the following...UNITS 045-048, 562, 624/625 & 688/689. Normally I hate "rabbit holes" but, if we can legitimately double the current available slots in the Russian OOB then I'll give this my full attention.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the...r-13550?page=2
(Covers it all nicely plus addresses some things we remarked on concerning those Turkish tanks if you read the whole thing.)
http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/T-80U.htm
(T-80UM1 "Bars" (Snow Leopard) listed as a prototype along w/T-80UM2 "Chiorny Oriol" (Black Eagle) my first MBT post.)
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/USSR/T-80.php
(Lists T-80UM1 as a perspective tank for export only, none exported.)
http://weaponsystems.net/weaponsyste...0-%20T-80.html
(Only lists up to the T-80UM which puts it line with the rest above.)
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t80um1_bars.htm
(Same shows it was meant only for export and that it never entered Russian service due to the high cost of maintenance and operational costs-it was a true "gas guzzler" as was the whole series in general.)
https://books.google.com/books?id=9F...20tank&f=false
(Well known tank analyst who works for guess who? If it starts with a "J" you guessed right!)
http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/MBT/t-80.html
(I think the "Bars" is dead by now.)
https://www.forecastinternational.co...DACH_RECNO=422
(From above..."Sep 1997 Contractor displays T-80UM1 BARS at Omsk" with no further status.)

I'm thinking free up 9 slots unless you need me to find more.

I'm starting to get that feeling of the "hunt" ever so slowly coming back.

I'll see what I can dig up on the T-55/T-62 but, luigim is on track I believe.

On the quick note...

1) T-54/55 - 20 Still on active service through 2000. Current estimate runs @ 100 T-55 tanks held in active reserve (This meaning maintained.) with another 500 in "cold storage".

2) T-62 - From the same author above there were 268 T-62 of all types still in Russian service in 2003/2004.

OMG!, I can get to bed sooner this morning life is indeed good!!

Regards,
Pat

[luigim]

About t80.. One division is actually equipped with t80um and another with t80bv, but for arctic newformed units more t80bv Will be upgraded to UM standard, because gas turbine is better cor cold climates

http://defence-blog.com/army/russia-...tle-tanks.html

So t80um in game must remain, but bars models are not in service

Correct FASTBOAT, but in reality they are in service in MVD troops ( Border troops and COIN troops, Caucasus)!

No Rossjskya armya troops Will be equipped with ancient tank relics i believe! In fact I suggest mantain CS tanks but retire tank models to stop AI t62 spamming

And i posted 2011 official Russian MoD document.

Regards

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

"So t80um in game must remain, but bars models are not in service" That is correct from what I'm finding on both counts.

Further on T-55 which I wanted to add as "3)" to my last post...

"T-55M6 (Low confidence for now. Still think T-55MV was it for the Russians.)

The latest upgrade, both for the Russian army and export, includes a longer chassis with six roadwheels per side, a completely overhauled turret with the 2A46M 125 mm (4.92 in) main gun and autoloader from the T-72B, V-46-5M engine and protection upgraded to the T-80U level. As an option it could receive the 1A40-1 fire control system and ATGM system 9K120 “Svir” (from the T-72B), or A42 and 9K119 “Refleks” (from the T-80U)."

Don't know if we have this or not but, if we do, this information might be valuable as a quick verification of our version if entered. Seeing the same in a couple of other places as well to the above capabilities.

I REALLY gotta call it a night it's my weekend after all!?!

Regards,
Pat

[luigim]

I think It never entered in service. T55 with 6 wheels is pure fantasy.. maybe only a prototype. There are some photos in Google images but 2 options: 1.fake/mockup 2.single prototype.