First combat use of Chinese made VT4 tanks.

On January 8, 2021, the Nigerian army in the north-east of the country launched a large-scale counter-terrorist operation called "Tura Takai Bango" against the militants of Boko , BMPD reports. In particular, Chinese-made NORINCO VT4 tanks, ST1 wheeled tanks and SH5 105-mm self-propelled artillery units manufactured by Norinco are taking part in the operation. This represents the first combat use of the VT4.
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Nigerian army NORINCO VT4 MBT deployed in the framework of a counter-terrorism operation against Boko Haram (Picture source: ChDambiev via BMPD)

The MBT-3000, also named VT4 for the export version, is a new generation of main battle tank designed and manufactured by NORINCO. According to this company, the MBT-3000 benefits from the latest technology for main battle tanks specially designed to meet the challenge of high-tech warfare. Its overall performance and combat capability put this tank among the most advanced ones in the world.

The main armament of the VT4 / MBT-3000 consists of a 125mm smoothbore gun fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. It is fed by an automatic loader that holds a total of 22 projectiles and charges which can be loaded at the rate of eight per minute. The MBT-3000 can carry a total of thirty-eight rounds of main ammunition. Types of separate loading ammunition that can be fired by the 125 mm smoothbore gun include kinetic energy penetrator, high explosive squash head and high explosive anti-tank warhead. On the commander's cupola is a remote weapon station armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. er rear side of the turret is a bank of six electrically operated smoke grenade launchers which fire forwards. In addition, the tank is equipped with a set of guided weapons, allowing the use of a guided missile 9K119 Refleks with a range of up to 5 km. This missile is produced in China under license.

Nigerian army NORINCO ST1 Type 08 tank destroyers deployed in the framework of a counter-terrorism operation against Boko Haram (Picture source: ChDambiev via BMPD)

Nigerian army NORINCO SH5 self-propelled howitzers deployed in the framework of a counter-terrorism operation against Boko Haram (Picture source: ChDambiev via BMPD)

Nigerian army NORINCO SH5 self-propelled howitzers deployed in the framework of a counter-terrorism operation against Boko Haram (Picture source: ChDambiev via BMPD)