China's new VT4A1 main battle tank strengthens reconnaissance capabilities with aerial drone.

At the Zhuhai Airshow 2024, Norinco will present the VT4A1 main battle tank, a key modernization step for the VT-4. This model integrates several upgrades, including a remote weapon station (RWS), an active protection system (APS), and a vertical take-off and landing drone. Designed for export, this version serves as an intermediate development phase between the earlier VT-4 model and the upcoming VT-4B version, addressing evolving tactical environments and current battlefield needs.
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The VT4A1, also referred to as VT4A1, was first unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow 2022 alongside various other land combat vehicles, such as the VT5-U light tank, VN20 heavy infantry fighting vehicle, and other unmanned combat systems. (Picture source: Twitter/ArmaduraXXI)

The VT4A1 includes a GL5 hard-kill active protection system (APS) with four millimeter-wave radars that detect and intercept incoming top-attack missiles. This radar-guided system directs high-speed turret interceptors to neutralize identified threats, countering the increased danger from precision-guided anti-tank weapons on modern battlefields. Its fire control system, featuring advanced navigation and positioning, supports indirect firing calculations, enhancing accuracy in long-range engagements. This system resembles that used in China’s Type 15 light tank, also capable of indirect firing.

Additionally, the VT4A1 incorporates a remote weapon station (RWS) equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun, a laser warning system, a drone jammer, and a vehicle-mounted, vertical take-off and landing drone. This drone, resembling the Czech Pholos, has a coaxial dual-rotor design with foldable rotors for compact storage in a turret-mounted compartment.

When deployed, the drone enhances situational awareness for the crew, hovering between 100 and 1,000 meters and expanding the tank's observation range. Operating up to 10 kilometers from the tank, it is equipped with a high-definition optoelectronic pod that offers white light, infrared night vision, and laser ranging. Comparable to the onboard drones of other tanks, such as Germany’s Rheinmetall KF51 Panther with its four-rotor reconnaissance UAV, the VT4A1’s drone enhances real-time battlefield awareness.

This integration enables the VT4A1 to perform real-time reconnaissance across a 13-15 kilometer radius, combining the drone’s flight range with its optoelectronic observation capabilities. The drone provides the crew with continuous aerial surveillance, allowing for terrain assessment, enemy location identification, and ambush detection. This capability also expands the VT4A1's indirect engagement range, enabling target acquisition up to 10 kilometers beyond direct line of sight.

The VT4A1’s drone support aligns with a broader battlefield trend, such as in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where both Russian and Ukrainian tank crews have employed commercial drones for real-time targeting. These tactical shifts illustrate the value of drones in reconnaissance and indirect firing, influencing the design of new-generation tanks. Reports indicate that drones are also used to guide indirect fire for greater accuracy, with some tanks, like the Type 96A, equipped with indirect fire calculators. The VT4A1’s integrated drone capabilities respond to these evolving requirements, establishing aerial reconnaissance as a standard feature.