First Footage of VT-4 Tank Damage in Service With Thai Army Appears

The first known image of the Thai army’s main battle tank RTA VT-4 with a torn off gun barrel and seriously damaged systems has been posted online.

The footage from X account T-55AM1 shows damage to the barrel, optical elements of the fire control system, and the laser warning system.

The circumstances of the tank’s damage have not been officially disclosed, but the nature of the damage indicates a severe combat damage that cannot be quickly repaired in the field.

The VT-4 is an export version of the Chinese main battle tank developed by NORINCO Corporation and actively promoted in the Southeast Asian markets.

Thailand purchased the VT-4 after the contract with Ukraine for the supply of BM Oplot-T tanks, which were supposed to replace the Royal Thai Army’s outdated armored vehicle fleet, was canceled.

As a result, the VT-4 became a direct competitor to the Ukrainian Oplot-T in the Thai tender, winning due to faster delivery times and political factors.

Earlier, the Chinese manufacturer positioned the VT-4 as a modern armored personnel carrier with a digital fire control system, laser-guided protection and a powerful 125 mm gun.

VT-4 characteristics:

• 125 mm smoothbore gun with automatic loading, capable of using armor-piercing, cumulative and guided munitions,
• tank weight is about 52 tons,
• crew – 3 persons,
• engine with a capacity of up to 1300 hp,
• speed up to 70 km/h,
• the equipment includes a digital fire control system, thermal imaging sights, a laser warning system and dynamic protection.

As a reminder, the Chinese VT-4 tank recently broke down during a demonstration in Zhuhai.