Usa tank force number11/11/2022 ![]() ![]() The type is not offered for export, though some of its technology is used in China’s VT4 export tank. Beijing fields nearly 500 Type 99s in sixteen armored battalions, and has produced 124 of the newer 99As so far. Several upgrades, including the new Type 99A2 variant, boast advanced new technologies. At 57 tons, it comes in between the 70-ton Abrams and the 48-ton T-90 in terms of weight. First appearing as the Type 98 prototype tank in a National Day parade in a 1999, the vehicle was re-designated the Type 99 and entered service in 2001. In total, India has over 1200 T-90s, while Algeria eventually intends to operate over 800.Ĭhina’s Type-99 combines a hull that closely resembles an elongated T-72 with a Western-style turret inspired in part by the German Leopard 2. However, 354 of the similar T-90MS export variant have been sold to India for deployment on its border with China. #Usa tank force number full#Moscow has developed the more advanced T-90AM but did not place it into full production. While Russia is introducing its revolutionary new T-14 tank, for now its 550 T-90As remain its frontline armored vehicle. Though not quite a peer of the Abrams, it still boasts significant improvements in accuracy and protection, particularly in models equipped with later-generation explosive reactive armor. ![]() The T-90 is Russia’s first post-Cold War tank. The Abrams isn’t exactly new, but the Army has continuously tweaked the ammunition, armor package, and sensors to keep it up to date. The Abrams, of course, is the classic American design which devastated Soviet-made Iraqi armor in the 1991 Gulf War without losing a single tank to enemy fire. So, even though an actual armed conflict would be unnecessary and vastly counterproductive for everyone involved-like most wars!-there are some contexts in which tank combat could occur on China’s borders, particularly verses Russian-made tanks.Įnough politics, onto the lumbering death machines! What Beijing’s policy would actually be in such an event is the trillion dollar question, but one scenario would involve Chinese ground forces intervening to restore order in North Korea-leading to potential clashes with Korean troops. Lastly, one should consider the scenario of a potential civil war or government collapse in North Korea. Recommended: Would China Really Invade Taiwan? Recommended: Russia's Next Big Military Sale - To Mexico? Air Force That Never Built the B-52 Bomber China is also allied with Pakistan, which has repeatedly warred with India, and occasionally transfers military technology to it. Today, the Chinese military persists in seeing India-a potential future superpower-as a threat, and has extensively militarized their shared border and built roads allowing heavy military vehicles to pass through the steep mountains. ( Vietnam would like to order T-90s as well.) Most importantly, Russia is selling its weapons to India and Vietnam-including systems which are quite clearly earmarked to oppose the Chinese military, such as the Brahmos cruise missile, and, well…over 1,000 T-90 tanks, many of which are deployed along its Himalayan border.Ĭhina fought a war with India in 1962 over that border, and another with Vietnam in 1979 to punish the nation for opposing the Beijing-backed Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Moscow currently maintains good relations with Beijing, with which it shares a border, but the two powers are not close allies, having nearly come to war during the late 1960s. However, the question is more relevant when we consider the Russian T-90. On the other hand, Taiwan has expressed interest in purchasing Abrams tanks, and Australia operates 60 as well, so never say never. Kidding aside, it seems a pretty unlikely except in amphibious invasions scenarios fit for Operation Flashpoint computer games. To which one should consider: can either vehicle swim across the Pacific Ocean and exchange shots over Scarborough Shoal? Army’s M1 Abrams tanks ever to clash with the Type 99? China’s major military efforts have been directed towards the Pacific. Before we get our hands greasy with the technical details, we should consider: does China even need tanks? ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |