American Defense Blog: China Launches Low-Cost T-90M Alternative Tank, Targeting Global Market for Upgrading Old Armor
Defense Blog reported on July 8 that China's Norinco recently tested a main battle tank based on the T-72 chassis in the streets of Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Analysts view this tank as a low-cost alternative to the Russian T-90M, designed specifically for international customers with limited budgets. The video shows that the tank retains the characteristics of the T-72 chassis but features a new Chinese-designed turret, equipped with FY-2 explosive reactive armor, a remote-controlled weapon station similar to the VT-4, and a commander's independent thermal imaging system, with firepower and information level close to third-generation main battle tank standards. Poland's "Defense Blog" pointed out that this upgrade kit mainly targets countries in Africa and Asia that rely on Soviet equipment but cannot afford new tanks. There are currently more than 30 countries still using the T-72 series tanks, with Algeria, Iran, and others having over 300 units each. The military observation magazine "Military Watch" analyzed that the Ukraine-Russia conflict has prevented both countries from meeting international demand for upgrades, and China is taking this opportunity to fill the gap. Its solution costs only a fraction of the T-90M, and its technical performance is close to it. Norinco previously successfully promoted the VT-4 tank and drones in Central Asia. This modification further strengthens its export strategy of "low cost and high performance". Potential customers include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other traditional users of Russian equipment. Russian media commented that China is gradually eroding Russia's military trade share in Africa and other regions, but China emphasized that this is merely a market activity and unrelated to geopolitics.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837040971611148/
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