Posted on 09/10/2008 7:20:45 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Africa calls them “tanks”. A-10 pilots call them “targets”.
Junk
“The tank fires mainly armor piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot, high explosive anti-tank and high explosive munitions.”
Ya think?
Probably a pyrotechnics option as well ... starburst ;-)
When can I get one of these at Walmart?
The 1700 mps muzzle velocity of the sabot round is impressive — slightly faster than an M1-A2.
But, you have to be alive to fire it, and you have to be able to see your target, and properly aim on it.
Plus there’s the issue of tactics and the ability to network the platoon.
We’ll see. The M1-A2 needs a follow on. Development can never cease. The MBT will always have a role in mechanized warfare.
These are probably the 500 lb gorilla (no pun intended) over there, but if the crews aren’t trained and the equipment isn’t maintained, they end up like the Iraqi armor in the Gulf Wars.
Even if they are maintained, in this case, how much of Uganda is tank country?
OK for parades though. Or maybe tribes with anti-tank spears.
China upgrading tanks for export to Africa
Air conditioning?
They will look good for a year or two but the environment, lack of available parts along with properly trained maintenance personel wil turn these into nothing more than stationary gun emplacements or maybe large paper weights.
ping
At 41 tons that’s a borderline light-tank by today’s standards.
Into the Idi Amin days, Uganda was still operating former Israeli M4A1 shermans, still fitted with their original 76mm guns. During the 1978 Ugandan border war with Tanzania, they did not fare well against the Tanzanian Chinese-supplied T-59A copies of the T-55.
Nevertheless, a T-55/T-59A/T-59D or new T85IIM makes a pretty good Mech Infantry killer, if supported by more serious MBTS or used in conditions in which larger tanks are unablke to operate effectively; I'd hate to have to clean up after a shootout between a T85IIM and a Stryker platoon armed only with .50 M2 Browning MGs, for example. And as a crowd control and internal security vehicle, the Chinese armor is certainly a cost-effective way to get the job done in a world awash with RPG-7s.
It probably comes with some Chinese tech support or advisors in exchange for some mineral deposits. The Chinese are looking to build their empire and Africa is open.
The Chinese don't criticize the governments with "human rights violations" and are able to invest quite easily (after the bribes are paid). Realism and practicality trump naive idealism any day of the week.
Great analysis in #14 for those of us who know little about tanks. Tanzanians still view the little border war as a great national triumph.
Thanks for your observations.
Evoking the Sybil’s prophesy?
These tanks are never going to be used against a technologically advanced opponent. The governments that are buying them will use them to deal with low-tech insurgents and rebels or against other low-tech armies.
Most militaries in the world don't have much need for shiny, expensive high-tech toys. They're too expensive and difficult to maintain. An armored vehicle like this is more than sufficient for your average 3rd-world military.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.