VT4 Tank Finally Goes into Action! The Thai Army announced on the morning of July 27 that it has put into use for the first time the Chinese-made VT4 tank, cooperating with the Thai Army in a charge operation. The reason why Thailand did not use the VT4 tank at the very beginning but sent some old American-made tanks as vanguards is to let the old tanks clear the way. The most advanced VT4 tanks of Thailand are reserved for critical moments. Because each VT4 tank costs as high as 5.8 million US dollars.
Originally, Thailand planned to purchase 150 VT4 tanks, but due to budget limitations, it finally bought only 53 VT4 tanks. Because it couldn't afford them, and the funds were still tight, it bought 53 units, which were purchased from 2016 to 2019. After 2020, the Thai economy experienced a certain decline, so it temporarily stopped purchasing.
If the VT4 tank performs strongly on the battlefield, Thailand will definitely purchase more VT4 tanks, because its previous old tanks have been used for three or five decades, they are too old. The oldest VT4 tank was commissioned in 2016, and it can be expected to serve for at least another 30 years. Therefore, it seems that Thailand chose to use the VT4 tank as a last resort, possibly because the front-line battle was not going smoothly, so they also used the strongest VT4 tank, otherwise the battle situation would be difficult to break through.
The biggest advantage of the VT4 tank is that it is equipped with air conditioning, as well as various advanced third-generation tank facilities, which are much stronger than the old first- and second-generation tanks. Just one air conditioner can surpass other tanks. Because only the VT4 tank in Thailand has air conditioning, while the rest of the tanks in the July operations could really get so hot that they would make people sweat, but there's nothing else to do.
It is indeed not easy to operate a tank in the summer, but the VT4 tank has air conditioning, making it comfortable for combat and beneficial for the tank crew to perform. It is currently uncertain how many VT4 tanks have been used. But it is certain that not many are being used, as the VT4 is too expensive. If one is damaged, it would cause significant losses. So Thailand is cautious in using the VT4 tank, and the high price is the biggest constraint. However, you get what you pay for, and the VT4 tank is indeed more powerful.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838779375020169/
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