T-54M3 / T-54M
Vietnam started upgrading the People’s Vietnam Army (VPA) fleet of Soviet T-54B tanks to modernize and keep the tanks in service for several more years to come. The power of the vehicle has been significantly enhanced, both in terms of firepower and defense. Upgraded from an existing T-54 tank with help from Russia and some Western countries, T-54M3 is said to be the most modern tank in the current Vietnamese tank-armored force. The provenance of the T-554M3 nomenclature is obscure, since there does not appear to be a T-54M2. The proper classification for these tanks is T-54M. T-54M3 is their predecessor. T-54M3 No. 153 is the only tank of the T-54M3 project as the Corps decided to allocate resources to T-54M instead.
Vietnam increased pace on local upgrade of T-54B tanks. The T-54M3 tank "converged" with design solutions and quite modern technologies from 5 countries with developed industrial - defense industries: Russia, Israel, Sweden, Germany and Ukraine (except for weapons self-made gas and equipment in Vietnam).
The T54 was designed during the mid to late 1940s. First production models with an early pattern turret were started rolling off assembly lines in 1949. the new tank would incorperate the D-10 100mm gun originally intended for a SU anti tank vehicle similiar to the SU-85. This gun specifically and the T-54 in general would send the western allies scrambling for a comparible weapon during the early part of the 1950s culminating in the adoption of the British L68 105 mm rifled main gun as the NATO standard. The T-54 recieved numerous upgrades during the early 1950s. some of which included amin gun stabilization, night fighting equipment and a fume extractor at the end of the barrel. The T54 would be licenced produced in many Warsaw Pact countries as well as in China under the T-59 designation.
The T-54B tank - the same type as the tank number 843 that rammed the gate of the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975 - is still being used by the Vietnamese Army to this day and has even been upgraded. Vietnam's T-54M3 tank appeared publicly for the first time in a segment clip military was published by the People's Army newspaper at the end of 2011. Vietnam started upgrading the People’s Vietnam Army (VPA) fleet of Soviet T-54B tanks to modernize and keep the tanks in service for several more years to come.
Foreign military sites have previously said that Vietnam plans to upgrade all about 10 T-54/55 tank battalions, with each battalion equipped with 31 tanks to the M3 standard. However, foreign information sources may not be entirely reliable. By 2020, the T-54M3 was the most numerous variant of Vietnam's T-54/55 tank. As of 2010 Vietnam stood armed with 850 of the Soviet T-54/55 medium tanks. In addition, the park ground troops in Vietnam has about 350 medium tanks T-59, a modernized version of the T-54.
The upgrade to the T-54M3 configuration was done with assistance from Israel Military Industries (now part of Elbit Systems), with emphasis on improving firepower, mobility, armor and communications. Israel launched a new, economical solution that can be applied to upgrade the Soviet-made T-54, T-55, T-62, and T-72 tanks. At the Kazakh defense exhibition KADEX 2016, Israeli defense company Elbit System introduced a modernization upgrade package for the Soviet T-72A main tank. Notably, this upgrade package can also be applied to the T-54, T-55, T-72, T-80 tank generations and even the improved T-90 if needed. The goal of this upgrade package is to improve firefighting specifications and tactics through the provision of advanced fire control systems with the latest and most innovative technologies of Elbit System.
One of the main components of the upgrade package was the TISAS fire control system that increases combat efficiency and productivity by providing combat data both during the day and at night, and poor visibility conditions allow firepower accurately shot the enemy target at the first shot at long range. Elbit Systems TIAS is an advanced thermal imaging and fire control system. It is modular, compact and independently operated for the easiest integration into the T-54, T-55, T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks. TISAS includes thermal imaging equipment, digital ballistic computer and data display screens for the gunner and vehicle captain.
Notably, in the past, Vietnam cooperated with Israel to comprehensively upgrade T-54 tanks. The first the T-54M3 tank was the result of the cooperation program to upgrade the T-54/55 tank line between Vietnam and Israel about 2005. This first T-54M3 was a fully modernized armor protection system, firepower, engine, fire control system. One of the biggest changes on the T-54M3 is the 105mm M68 cannon instead of the poor penetrating 100mm D10T2S and a modern fire control system. The front of the turret of the T-54M3 is equipped with semicircular armor, the body is armored with explosive reactive armor of the 2nd generation. While the project did not go into mass production, it also opened up a new, more affordable, collaborative future. And Elbit TISAS may be one of the brightest candidates for T-54/55, T-62 upgrade cooperation between Vietnam and Israel in the future.
The upgrade to the T-54M3 configuration was done with assistance from Israel Military Industries (now part of Elbit Systems), with emphasis on improving firepower, mobility, armor and communications. vietnam’s Factory Z153 of the General Department of Engineering is undertaking the upgrades using kits from IMI after an initial unit was upgraded in Israel. Among improvements noted were the installation of a new composite armor and explosive reactive armor were installed along the turret and on the front part of the tank.
Ballistic computer supported by meteorological sensors MAWS6056B allows calculating the effect of wind speed to the shell, thereby hitting targets more accurately. The tank commander has COMTOS-55 command system, allowing commanders to intervene in the selection process the objective of the gunner. Gunner observation system retains a TPN-10, drive with integrated observation system for day/night observation angles CODRIS Fontana 80 degrees during the day and 78 degrees at night, it also integrates more passive night vision system Codris. T-55M3 is equipped with a fire control system 3 EFCS-55B, digital communication systems BROM RC 4.
Armament on the T-55M3 include numerous upgrades. The tank used the 105 mm L7/M68 main gun to replace the 100 mm gun. The L7 can fire a variety of ammunition, including anti-tank round HEAT, round APFSDS armour-piercing shells. The M426 Israeli APFSDS armour-piercing shells could penetrate a thick homogeneous armor 450mm at a distance of 2,000 meters. In addition, optional window 7 gun, anti-aircraft 12, 7 mm, tanks are equipped with additional 60 mm mortar, the same as Israel's Merkava tanks. The addition of the 60 mm mortar enables dealing effectively with high targets in urban warfare or hilly areas.
To enhance protection for the tank, the T-55M3 are equipped with Israeli Blazer reactive box armor created, capable of very good resistance against anti-tank weapons. The rear turret was fitted with the hanging in chains in order to reduce the effect of RPG-7 anti-tank weapons [as seen on the Merkava]. Tanks supplemented by skirts protecting sides of the vehicle. In addition to enhancing armor, T-55M3 tanks are equipped with laser warning system when the tanks were illuminated, the system will alert the crew back and activate smoke grenades side turret to interfere with the line of sight of the enemy anti-tank weapons.
The old engine was replaced by the German MTU MT881 engines of 1,000 HP with a new gear system allows the tank reaches a maximum speed of 60 km/h, 500 km range.
According to unconfirmed sources, Vietnam will upgrade about 300 T-55 tanks to T-55M3. If this information is correct, the armored tank forces, Vietnam will become a lot more powerful. T-55M3 will allow Vietnam to maintain power tank than other countries in the region.
The original "T-54M3" tank that was cancelled years ago. This upgrade greatly improved the firepower, targeting systems, and defensive capabilities of the tank, even replacing the original D-10T 100mm with a 105mm cannon. It was also equipped with a mortar on the side. However, this upgrade plan had an issue that resulted in in Vietnam being forced to ditch the 105mm.
The "T-54M" that appeared over last couple years and became public recently retains a modified version of the original 100mm gun. the domestic Vietnamese upgrade that retains the original 100mm gun, adds ERA armor blocks in the turret & front. New fire control system, new sensors, etc. Instead of using a new 105mm M-68 cannon from Israel, Vietnam decided to stick to the original D-10T2S 100mm gun and upgrade it. A thermal sleeve on the 100mm cannon was installed to reduce bending under heat stress and improve gun accuracy. Improvements were also made to increase ammunition storage. IMI also supplied new types of ammunition with greater range and flexibility.
The fire control system also improved with a new viewfinder, thermal imager and laser rangefinder to allow day and night operations. A new ballistic computer, weapon stabilisation system and meteorological sensor was also installed to improve accuracy. A new German-sourced diesel engine was also installed to replace the old engine, with more power up to around 1,000 horsepower, plus an improved hydraulic steering, brake and transmission system. New Russian RF2050 digital multibank military radios were also installed to replace the old analogue radios. In addition, on the roof of the turret is also equipped with a 60mm mortar of Israel.
The T-54 / 55M3 is equipped with a Vietnamese-made 12.7 mm NSV heavy machine gun, which is capable of attacking low-flying targets such as helicopters and UAVs. The T-54/55M3 is also fitted with a PKT 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun manufactured by Vietnam. The tank is fitted with Israeli Blazer ERA explosive reactive box armor to resist concave explosive shells, B-41 grenade launchers (RPG-7).
The upgrade of the T-54 tanks came as the VPA received new T-90 tanks from Russia, which is now its most capable tank in service. Compared to the upgraded T-54/55M3, Vietnam's T-62 tank is less modern, but this is the most modern Soviet tank equipped for Vietnam.
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