New Delhi (NVI): While the world is engaged in fight against coronavirus, China possibly is clandestinely delivering advanced battle tanks to Pakistan, clearly to boost its military capabilities against India.
According to reports, China recently delivered two VT4 battle tanks indicatively to Pakistan as part of a deal for 100 pieces of these armoured vehicles.
China’s official news channel China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the two tanks, upgraded with a turret boost design and explosive reactive armour, have been dispatched to a “foreign buyer” location.
The tanks manufactured by China North Industries Group (NORINCO) left for their destination following a launch ceremony, the report said.
Though CCTV did not identify the “foreign buyer”, earlier reports had said that Pakistan had placed order for procurement of some 100 VT4 tanks from China.
The Pakistan Army has already tested these tanks, as was evident from some photographs leaked three years back.
The VT4 tanks are said to be lightweight high mobility vehicles which can operate well in high altitude locations and the Chinese military had earlier sought to prove this through demonstrations in the Tibetan plateau.
Acquisition of these tanks will bolster Pakistani military capabilities in high altitudes, which are weak in comparison to India.
The VT4 upgraded tank, previously known as MBT3000, has extra protection capabilities, including a new explosive reactive armour, according to the CCTV report.
With a diesel engine of 1,200-horsepower, the VT4 can travel at a maximum speed of 70 kms per hour and a maximum cross-country speed of 50 kms per hour, according to the reports.
The tank is equipped with a 125-mm smooth bore gun and can fire armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS), high explosive anti-tank cartridges and missiles with a 5-kilometer range, according to these reports.
