On the prospects for the procurement of tanks
At IndoDefense 2016, FNSS and PTPindad Present a Conceptual Design for Advanced Modern tank medium-weight category MMWT (Modem Medium Weight Tank) of joint development, combining advanced bulletproof and mine protection with a wide range of firepower, from short-range infantry support to combat armored vehicles. A new generation engine of high power is connected to an automatic transmission with electronic control, which allowed to obtain a specific power of at least 20 hp / t, depending on the configurable protection system. The MMWT will have good mobility thanks to six track rollers on each side, torsion bar suspension and double hub tracks
Despite the rapid development of anti-tank weapons, tanks remain an important weapon for many ground forces in the world. However, special attention when updating armored vehicles is paid mainly to upgrading existing platforms, and not to new concepts.
It may be hard to believe in this, but most of the armored vehicles in service today, however, are rooted in the Cold War era, although 25 years have passed since its end. Even the main battle tanks (MBT) developed and produced during this period, such as the 90 Tour and the 10 Tour (Japan), the 2 Tournament (South Korea), the 99 Tour (China), AL KHALID (Pakistan) or ALTAY (Turkey), in fact represent only the development of previous technologies and solutions. Even in the newest machines, such as the third-generation Chinese tank VT-4 (also known as MVT-3000), which is an evolutionary development of the Type 2014A tank shown in 99, real innovations are present in limited amounts.
Chinese tank VT-4 third generation
Planned acquisitions
At the end of 2016, the US Department of Defense approved the sale of 153 "1A1 / A2 systems" of Saudi Arabia for converting M133A1SA ABRAMS and 2 XERUMX XERCULES armored repair and recovery vehicles into 20. At the same time, Morocco announced the delivery of the first batch of M88A1SA ABRAMS tanks - 1 vehicles from the presence of the American army M200А1 ordered in 1 year. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) was awarded a contract to refine them and reportedly removed depleted uranium armor. All work is scheduled to be completed by March 2012. Algeria, the regional competitor of Morocco, still receives T-2018 tanks from Russia. It is assumed that by the end of 90, Algeria will purchase additional 2017 tanks. Meanwhile, a third contract for 200 T-340 tanks (this time local licensed production) will be signed soon.
Tank M1A2SA ABRAMS of Saudi Arabia
It is rumored that Pakistan intends to buy in the near future Ukraine’s T-84 Oplot-M tanks and dynamic protection systems for them from Ukraine. But this seems rather unrealistic, since Kiev has problems with commitments, because of the huge delays in the supply of these tanks, Thailand, who ordered the Oplot-X 49 tanks, ultimately decided to look for an alternative to them. After the Thai delegations studied the T-90С / MS tank in Russia and the VT-4 (MBT-3000) in China, Thailand decided to purchase VT-4 tanks armed with a 125-mm smooth-bore gun and equipped with automatic loader. The size of the planned supply is unknown, but according to some sources, Thailand will order up to 200 new tanks in the near future. Presumably, the VT-4 tank was also purchased by Iraq and is being offered by China to Peru, which still has the old T-55 tanks and a small number of Chinese MVT-2000 vehicles.
In future purchases, of course, not to do without the tank LEOPARD 2, but the space for new deals is quickly reduced. Rheinmetall is currently supplying Indonesia's 103 MBT from warehouse reserves in the 2 + (rebuilt by the 2A4) and 2RI (with passive armoring, electric targeting systems, which have replaced the original hydraulic system, upgraded with an 120-mm LXNMX gun, replaced with the original 44-mm L11 engine, replaced with the original 2-mm LNNXX engine with an artificially converted, replaced the original hydraulic system with an upgraded 7-mm LXNMX gun, replaced with an artificial 62-mm L11 engine, replaced by the original XNUMX-mm LNNXX engine with an artificially converted XNUMX XMXNUMX XNUMX XNUMX XNUMX XNUMX XNUMX MBT from Indonesia). DMXNUMX). Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) supplies Qatar with the newest version of the XNUMXАXNUMX + (almost half of the planned XNUMX tanks have been delivered) along with DMXNUMX ammunition.
A few years ago, Saudi Arabia expressed a desire to buy 600-800 2А7 tanks, but the project seems to be closed at the moment. More likely now is a significantly smaller transaction (24 vehicles) for 2А6 tanks for Bulgaria, which according to some data has already allocated additional funding for these purposes. Since in recent years the Netherlands has sold most of their 2А6 tanks to different countries, Bulgaria may be faced with finding the planned number of tanks in this variant.
For the same reason, that is, the shortage of surplus LEOPARD 2 tanks, Poland was forced to abandon its initial plan to replace its outdated Soviet-made T-72М1 tanks of Soviet origin with 2А4 / 2А6 tanks; the purchase of 2A7 / 2A7 + S options was not considered due to their high cost. In the middle of 2016, the Czech delegation visited Spain to evaluate the 2-4 model, but this idea was later reversed due to their poor condition. Presumably, Prague became interested in them as a replacement for its T-72 tanks (versions M / M1 and M4CZ of local production). As a result, Germany is likely to soon be able to stop the production of LEOPARD 2 tanks.
German tank LEOPARD 2А7
At the start of 2015, Germany announced plans to buy LEOPARD 100A2 tanks from the 4 industry. This means that the government canceled its previous decision to reduce the fleet to 225 tanks in five battalions. The reason for this was Russia's actions in 2014 and the increase in power of the Russian armored forces, which turned out to be stronger than previously estimated by the Western intelligence community. The concerns announced by Russia in the middle of 2016 of the agreement with Uralvagonzavod Corporation for supplying more than 100 additional T-14 tanks (60 tanks and 40 additional machines on the Armata chassis: 10 BREM T-16 and 30 heavy BMP T-15) warmed up the concerns
New solutions
According to the official plans of the German Ministry of Defense, the lifespan of the LEOPARD 2 will end approximately in 2030 year. Therefore, Germany plans to create a new tank together with France (where it will replace the LECLERC) under the MGCS program (Main Ground Combat System - the main ground combat system). Polish defense companies have expressed a desire to join the duo KMW and Nexter Systems. According to the German Ministry of Defense, the project must be evaluated by 2018. The program may start somewhere between 2025 and 2035.
So far, no details on the program are known, with the exception of the planned smoothbore gun - the MGCS will probably be armed with the 130-mm L51 cannon, shown at Eurosatory 2016. According to Rheinmetall, the kinetic energy of this gun is 50% more than the kinetic energy of its 120-mm predecessor. Most likely, the MGCS will use solutions from the EGS (Experimentaltrager Gesamtschutz) test program, which provides for only two crew members in the car (but this seems unlikely). In this scenario, the MGCS will have a remote-controlled tower.
As for the new, larger guns, there are rumors that the Russian T-14 Armata tank will be armed with an 152-mm cannon instead of a smooth-bore 125-mm 2-82-1М, which is currently the standard main weapon of the vehicle. Although it may seem incredible, it is worth recalling that both tank concepts 187A Object and 477А1 Object (Note) were armed with an 152-mm cannon with an automatic loader.
These projects were developed at one time by Uralvagonzavod, which has now begun to manufacture T-14 tanks. In late November 2016, it was announced that the company is opening a production line for two guns: 2A46M-5 (for T-90MS "Tagil" and T-72BZ, and light anti-tank units 2S25 Sprut-SD) and 2A82-1M ( for T-14). According to British intelligence, the 2А82-1М gun has better armor penetration characteristics than any other tank gun currently in service and the first of the new tank guns that had no roots in the Cold War era. The first shipments of these guns are scheduled for 2017 year.
Thanks to its constructive solutions and layout, the Armata T-14 tank is without a doubt the winner in the “next generation tank” category (as defined by the fourth-generation NATO or according to the Russian systematics - the fifth). However, Russia needs time and more money to complete the necessary work. Financial constraints mean that the main purchases of T-14 in the number of 2000 tanks by the year 2020 are far from reality.
To date, the Russian military is still based on obsolete tanks, mainly T-72, currently being upgraded to the standard B3 / B3M. In order to combat this threat, NATO member countries state the need to modernize their armored vehicles. One of the proposed solutions is to deploy the latest M829А4 projectiles for ABRAMS tanks. The Americans, who are going to leave the ABRAMS tank in service, at least until 2050, are planning a new platform at the same time. A few years ago, the Pentagon decided to write off all existing tracked vehicles, including ABRAMS, and replace them with the XM1202 Mounted Combat System self-propelled artillery, although this program was closed in the 2009 year.
The Chinese company NORINCO recently showed the VT-5 tank as an export offer. Its components are typical - it has a modular protection kit with optional advanced composite armor or dynamic protection. The VT-5 tank is armed with an 105-mm cannon.
Similar weapons were used in the concept of a modern medium-category tank by MMWT (Modern Medium Weight Tank), which was presented in detail at the end of 2016 by the companies RT Sindad and FNSS. Currently, two prototypes are being manufactured, which will be ready this year. According to the manufacturers, the task of MMWT is to hunt for light and medium infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, as well as to support infantry with direct fire. The MMWT has a CMI Defense CT-CV double turret with an 105-mm rifled cannon that can fire with a cumulative anti-tank, high-explosive and high-explosive projectile with crushed warhead, high-explosive fragmentation shells and armor-piercing shells.
Britain intends to extend the life of the OBT CHALLENGER 2 to 2035 year. At the evaluation stage, Rheimnetall will develop solutions in accordance with the requirements of users, systematized by the Ministry of Defense. The program includes solving the problems of obsolescence, and Rheimnetall will offer options that will support the capabilities and effectiveness of the CHALLENGER 2 tank. The contract for the evaluation stage costs 23 million pounds
It is said that the Russian Armata’s T-14 tank will be armed with a 152-mm cannon instead of a 125-mm 2-82-1M cannon.
Modernization
The most important component of future purchases of armored vehicles will be retrofit kits, currently available for almost all MBT platforms. For example, due to financial constraints, the UK does not plan to purchase a new platform in the short term. Instead, London wants to upgrade its CHALLENGER 2 tanks. Under the LEP program, two teams were selected - BAE Systems Land (UK) along with GDLS UK and Rhelnmetall Defense. According to British plans, up to 227 tanks will be upgraded and remain in service until the 2035 year. Several systems will be upgraded, including stabilized aiming systems and controls, weapon control equipment, and a fire control computer. CHALLENGER 2 LEP will receive new displays for crew members. According to some sources, the British tanks will be equipped with active protection systems (for example, MUSS) and a new gun. A few years ago, the 2-mm L120 smooth-bore gun, which tested surpassed the current rifled L55A30 CHARM, was installed on one CHALLENGER 1 tank.
British tank CHALLENGER 2
Three other Western tanks (ABRAMS, LEOPARD 2 and LECLERC) will remain in service for at least another couple of decades.
In 2017, GDLS will begin shipping the first M1А2 SEP V3 ABRAMS tanks to the US Army, and their deployment is expected to begin at the end of 2020. To date, the contract for the first six tanks has been signed, but the US army wants to modernize around 2000 vehicles to a new standard. In the long term, the same fate awaits the parks of the National Guard and the Marine Corps, which will bring the total number of tanks to about 4000 units. In addition to the option V3, the US military is considering other technical improvements. Surprisingly, this option, instead of a newer gun with the best characteristics, is still armed with the 120-mm M256-1-gun - the American version of the smooth-bore Rheinmetall L44. However, V3 will be able to fire M829А4 armored-piercing shells with a core of dining uranium, according to some data, capable of striking modern dynamic protection and active protection complexes. The tank in the V3 version also has a low-profile combat module CROWS.
As already mentioned, the German government will buy 100 tanks LEOPARD 2А4. In addition, the German armed forces will receive 116 2A6NL tanks from the Netherlands free of charge. From these 116 tanks, Germany upgrades the 84 tank to version 2A7V. The work will be performed by KWM with Rheinmetall as the main subcontractor. The main change will be an improved gun L55A1, which will increase by 20% armor penetration when firing an armor-piercing piercing slug of the next generation KE2020 (DM73). Other changes include air conditioning, auxiliary powerplant Steyer M12, Thales SOTAS intercom system, KMW IFIS information management system and ATTICA thermal imaging cameras from Airbus DS Optronics.
The remaining 32 tanks will not be upgraded and used as MBTs, they will perform auxiliary tasks (bridge-laying machines, engineering machines, etc.). In the 2017 year, Berlin wants to sign the relevant contracts with the manufacturers, after which the first deliveries will take place at the end of the 2018 year. At the end of the process, Germany will be armed with 328 LEOPARD 2A6 / A7S tanks, of which 104 will be the newest version of A7V. In February 2016, Germany signed a technical agreement with the Netherlands regarding the subordination of the Dutch 43 th mechanized brigade of the German 1 th armored division, as well as the organization of a joint tank battalion commanded by the Dutch brigade.
The Thai army has signed an agreement with China on the purchase of tanks MVT-3000
France wants to leave its LECLERC tanks in service, at least until 2035-2040 (a total of 2008 vehicles were delivered by 406 in the year). The first upgraded MBTs must be manufactured by Nexter Systems in the 2018 year and additional 198 machines in the 2020-2028 year. They will be equipped with updated information management systems and enhanced protection, mainly from mines and IEDs. Although the F120 1-mm smoothbore gun LECLERC tanks will be abandoned, the upgraded tanks will be able to shoot advanced non-MZM ammunition. It is also planned to install a remotely controlled weapon module.
French tank LECLERC
Argentina followed in the same way. In the middle of 2016, a modernized version of an obsolete TAM tank was presented. In collaboration with Israeli companies Elblt Systems and IMI Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries), the Israeli-made ballistic protection package IRON WALL of the Israeli company IMI was added to the newest version under the TAM 2IR designation.
Argentine tank TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano)
In November, 2016, in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, Rhelnmetall introduced a new version of the BMD MARDER. The demo model, equipped with a Leonardo HITFACT II turret with an 105-mm rifled gun, was specially designed in accordance with Indonesian requirements. The competitor to this decision under the name MARDER Medium Tank RI is the Turkish-Indonesian project MMWT (see above). The first deliveries can begin within two years after signing the contract.
A relatively bright future lies in front of the T-72 and T-80 platforms, which still have good potential for upgrades. If in general terms, then Russia is currently upgrading the T-72 tanks to the B3 standard; to date, about 560 tanks have been delivered. Despite the plans of 2002, to upgrade T-3000 tanks to 80, in recent years, all those operating T-80 (T-80Б / БВ / У) are reportedly replaced by T-72 tanks in different versions (T-72B, T-72БМ, T-72B1 / B3) and T-90. Russia also bought X-NUMX tanks T-337 and 90 tanks T-130 and announced its intention to return to service a number of T-90BV tanks and upgrade them through the Sosna-U fire control system currently installed on T-80B72 and T tanks -3. The upgraded T-90BV tank will also receive a new generator, engine starter and dynamic protection. According to Russian sources, the initial deployment in the army is almost complete.
At the same time, Uralvagonzavod announced that the development of the newest version of T-90MS Tagil was completed and the tank with improved protection and weapon systems was ready for production. Some of these changes can be implemented on early versions of the T-90. Ukraine has in its portfolio several models of T-series tanks, but the conflict with Russia had a very negative impact on the export opportunities of Kiev, making it difficult for the Oplot to deliver tanks to Thailand and T-64B1М / БМ1М tanks to Congo. For this reason, any large sales of armored vehicles by Ukraine are very problematic in the near future.
Developed for the export market, the Russian T-90CM tank is almost entirely a new tank with an improved chassis and a new modular turret. He has new armor, a new main cannon, a new ammunition, a new fire control system, a new engine and a new active defense system and many more new solutions
China plans to use the latest upgrades of its Toure 96 tank as the basis of its armored units. Option B, introduced in the middle of 2016, will replace outdated platforms, such as the 59 Tour and the 69 Tour.
At the same time, Pakistan intends to continue the program on the AL KHALID 2 tank. During the IDEAS 2016 exhibition in Karachi, it was reported that an upgraded version of the AL KHALID would have more firepower, better protection and maneuverability. At the exhibition in Kiev, a contract was signed for the overhaul and modernization of Pakistani armored vehicles. It is assumed that Ukraine is upgrading the T-XNUMHUD tanks (80 sold in 320 year), and possibly also the fleet of AL KHALID tanks (MBT-1996), on which the 2000ТD-6 engine with a power of 2 hp is installed. - An improved version of the engine 1200TD-6 tank T-1UD. According to some Pakistani sources, Islamabad will purchase 80 200TD-6 3 engines for this program.
Pakistani Al Khalid Tank
The Turkish company Aselsan has already expressed a desire to join the program by offering some onboard systems, including a fire control system, optoelectronic and communication systems. At IDEAS 2016, information was spread that the upgraded version would keep the 125-mm cannon, which can fire an armor-piercing sabot and cumulative anti-tank missiles and the 9М119 “Reflex” anti-tank guided missile.
It is not clear whether Pakistan will continue its project on the new HAIDER MBT or not. Islamabad reportedly evaluated several platforms for this program, including Ukrainian T-84 Oplot-M, Turkish ALTAY and Chinese VM.
Ukrainian tank T-84U Oplot-M
New purchases are not expected from Poland, since Warsaw is currently focused on upgrading its LEOPARD 2A4 tanks to the 2PL standard. The PL variant will have new situational awareness systems (including a thermal imaging camera and new surveillance sensors for the tank commander, a thermal imaging camera for the gunner and a day / night camera for the driver), tower electric drives, hydraulic stabilization of the gun and additional booking. Poland has no plans to replace the original L120 44 gun; however, after upgrading to the 2PL standard, she will be able to shoot the DM63A1 armor-piercing projectile and the high-explosive fragmentation DM11. The first prototype of the 2PL is planned to be made by March 2018 of the year. The Polish experience may be of interest to Chile, which in 2017 was planning to modernize its fleet of 2А4 tanks under the MLU program. Chilean tanks will receive new turrets with electric drives and digital systems, an armament module, modular defense and perhaps a new gun (L55 instead of L44).
Perspective tanks
Although the great experts in tank design for many years predict the death of the tank, it seems that the rumors about his demise are greatly exaggerated. Tanks are and will be an important means of the armed forces of many countries, despite the rapid development of anti-tank threats, including armor-piercing sabots, tandem combat vehicles and modern missiles with attack modes from above. However, the next generation of tanks is very likely waiting for big changes. Considering the fact that practical limitations on mass do not allow the mindless addition of traditional passive armor, the new MBT will have advanced active protection systems, both functional (soft-kill) and direct (hard-kill) damage, as well as situational awareness sensors in as standard equipment.
In addition, we can expect that the next generation MBT will have remotely operated towers or, at least, crew members will be located outside the tower for security reasons. Such solutions are not futuristic - they were very popular during the Cold War, take the concept of T-74 with 125 / 130-mm gun, proposed at the beginning of 70-s, or TTV, proposed to replace the M1 ABRAMS tank. At that time, the immaturity of technology forced them to abandon these ideas. Today, technology has advanced far ahead and concepts will inevitably return. If designers get lucky by the tail, then future tanks will have only two crew members.
Materials used:
www.shephardmedia.com
www.gdls.com
www.baesystems.com
www.kmweg.com
www.uvz.ru
www.rheinmetall.com
www.nexter-group.fr
www.norinco.com
www.imisystems.com
btvt.narod.ru
www.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
Information