More Chinese-made VT4 main battle tanks for Thai Army.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Royal Thai Army is seeking the cabinet's approval for the purchase of 14 additional VT4 main battle tanks from China, at a cost of more than 2.3 billion baht (USD 73 million), an army source said. It will be the third batch of VT-4 tanks to be bought from NORINCO. Each tank costs about 167 million baht (USD 5.26 million), said the source.

NORINCO MBT-3000, designated VT-4 for export (Picture source: Army Recognition)

A source in the army's procurement committee said the army wants to purchase more VT4s (export designation of the MBT-3000) because of their satisfactory performance. The first 28 VT4 tanks were purchased in 2016 at a cost of 4.9 billion baht (USD 154,34 million), and the second batch of 11 tanks that came in 2017 were valued at 2 billion baht USD 63.02 million).

The army is also planning to procure 190 APFSDS-T shells, 60 HEAT-T shells and 150 HE-T shells, said the source.