MBT's

[redcoat2]

Taiwan is looking at ways to locally upgrade its M60A3 MBTs.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/201...s-m60a3-tanks/

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

We ALWAYS get questions about armor the various types etc. I have pulled from this source many times out here when the topic has come up and as your finding I never could figure out how to get it out, until this evening-again thanks Don.

Armor types and still relevant and this might alter some thinking of armor. I believe it's about as good as we'll get to some degree...
Tank Armor.zip

Again as was posted earlier in green/white papers APS systems which belongs here as well.
Active_Protective_Systems_CPP_Oct06-1.zip

The next is a little different, you've heard me talk about how economics is the driver for Defense spending in all areas concerned. My purpose originally here had to do with the state of the French Air Force as far as current equipment was concerned (Something triggered the search but, as Don and others know well it always manages to take me on a different related search lost now.). You will get all the numbers, percentages etc. etc. ALL IN PRETTY COLORED GRAPHS!! Also though for you that track France or their equipment, a current equipment listing and numbers as of 2016 complied from the end of 2015. Good enough I feel to post it hear because after all this thread gets the most attention of the one's I started out here. Of course I strive to provide a quality product , so this is from the French MOD.
French Defense Key figures 2015.zip

I shall now "en devour" to enjoy the rest of the evening!

bonne nuit!

Cordialement,
Patrick
(Same in English as French/No Pat in French for names. You learn something everyday. At least I know now if in France not to introduce myself as Pat as they might wonder why I want to "pat" something!?!)

[redcoat2]

There have been comments on Chinese social media that the first batch of VT-4 MBTs has been delivered to the Royal Thai Army (obat 54). Jane's 360 reported that the first batch was due to be delivered this week:

http://www.janes.com/article/74568/r...livery-of-vt4s

[MarkSheppard]

Originally Posted by redcoat2

Taiwan is looking at ways to locally upgrade its M60A3 MBTs.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/201...s-m60a3-tanks/

They also apparently killed efforts to acquire M1 Abrams to pay for this as well.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Taiwan has been trying to get the M1 for almost 10yrs now w/o success. It would seem as far as the Chinese are concerned this would be a "deal breaker" in more ways then one. However it's in the air where Taiwan is making out with a major upgrade package I believe already started or soon to begin for their F-16's and Patriot systems. Naval side is also benefiting as well. For now armor is off the table for us, however, there have been rumors someone might fill that need instead of us. And I wouldn't be surprised if someone from the Middleeast either upfront or behind the scenes helps with those tank upgrades. I have it out here in a couple of threads but, I'd highly recommend you go to the Defense Industry Daily (DID) webside they have a continually updated article covering all aspects of Taiwan's weapons desires and actual acquisitions.

Regards,
Pat

Just went to DID, in the search box, type in "Taiwan" you want the second result "Taiwan's Force Modernization: The American Side." It'll bring you fully up to date as of 5 Sep. 2017 that includes all I've discussed above and more. The F-16 upgrade will bring their F-16A/B fighters up to the top of the line F-16V which is a 4th Gen ++ fighter inline with the GRIPEN NG. Told you China's not happy about this at all.

Not home on my PC and the wife's APPLE AYRE isn't letting me do what I want. I'm sure it's just operator error.

[redcoat2]

China has officially confirmed that it has deployed its new light tank (ZTQ / maybe ZTQ-15):

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2...t_33103697.htm

[Imp]

Link to new Russian armour with some very good photos.

http://defense-update.com/20150509_t..._analysis.html

[Pibwl]

Turkey OOB32:

39 Leopard 2T (aka NG): judging from a date, it should be in service for several months. I could not find any info in the net, that they were completed (or even ordered as for now).
Anyway, according to http://www.military-today.com/tanks/leopard_2ng.htm and other sources, it still has L44 gun.

BTW: isn't it worth for German 2A6 and 2A7 to be fitted with icons with longer guns, than 2A4?..

Indonesia OOB71:

17 Leopard 2RI - "According to an IHS Jane's report from September 2016, Indonesia had by then taken delivery of 24 Leopard 2 RI MBTs" (now 6/14) http://www.janes.com/article/66604/i...n-battle-tanks
http://defense-studies.blogspot.my/2...rrival-of.html

It doesn't say they have L55 guns, and it would be quite strange (what for in Indonesia?..). I may be wrong, but this film also doesn't show enormous guns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA42gbjjdV8

It apparently bought also ordinary Leo 2A4 from May 2016:
https://thediplomat.com/2016/05/indo...-battle-tanks/
http://defence-blog.com/army/indones...d-ri-tank.html

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The ever changing world...This is why you just can't submit a piece of equipment and forget about. I have many times in the past just simply posted a couple of refs. indicating that "X" country received "R" equipment sometimes a couple of years or more later. I have done so regarding this Indonesian tank deal. There was some comprise involved to account for the MBT chosen much of related to the fact most of the information we had pointed to the LEO 2A6, specifically German UNIT 033. Due to the political nature of this deal little information was out there, but, that being said, German UNIT 033 did fit the bill for the upgraded LEO-2RI, because they received the LEO 2A4+ which was/is brought up to the 2A6 standard and with the improvements on that tank the UNIT 033 still works best.

This was submitted in Patch Post #2 for the 2012/2013 Campaign 18 February 2013. It is in both the Patch Post and MBT (Though at a later date.) Threads if further information is desired. MBT Section/Item A3.

I hope the links are still good, it's late and I'm under the weather right now and working still-SO-really don't feel like checking that at this time.

I have only kept up on this issue as is provided from my files below and hopefully in the order I got them.
https://thediplomat.com/2016/05/indo...-battle-tanks/
http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/...i-mbts-to.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2..._12505163.html
https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/...etail_1408.php
https://below-the-turret-ring.blogsp...roduction.html

What is clear is that Indonesia DID NOT chose all the options Associated with the LEO REVOLUTION. The last ref speaks for many in that regard so by example you can chose to have either the L44 or L55 MG. Again UNIT 033 was
chosen because the "RI" was to have the L55.

Everyone I'm spent right now so I have to leave it here. Have a Good Night/or Morning!

Regards,
Pat


CRAP- Almost forgot, this is from earlier this morning...

SIPRI
Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 2010 to 2016.
Note: The ‘No. delivered’ and the ‘Year(s) of deliveries’ columns refer to all deliveries since the beginning of the contract. The ‘Comments’ column includes publicly reported information on the value of the deal. Information on the sources and methods used in the collection of the data, and explanations of the conventions, abbreviations and acronyms, can be found at URL .
Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Information generated: 19 October 2017

(Had to modify doc. "O" = Ordered. The "R" = Received.)

Year(s) 2010-2016

Germany (FRG)R: Indonesia
2 BPz-2 ARV O2012 R2015 (2)Second-hand; part of EUR216 m deal

3 BrPz-1 Biber ABL O2012 R2015-2016 3 Second-hand; part of EUR216 m deal

3 Buffel ARV O2012 R2016 (3) Second-hand Leopard-2 tank modified to Buffel ARV

61 Leopard-2A4 Tank O2012 R2016 40 Second-hand but modernized to Leopard-2RI before delivery; delivery 2016-2017

42 Leopard-2A4 Tank O2012 R2013-2015 42 Second-hand; part of EUR216 m deal (These should be the as used German UNIT 033 (A4+) tanks as entered already.-PJC)

(42) Marder-1A3 IFV O2012 R2013-2015 (42) Second-hand (possibly modernized before delivery; 8 more delivered for spare parts only); part of EUR216 m deal (As posted later, they were upgraded-PJC)

3 PiPz-1 AEV O2012 R2016 3 Second-hand; part of EUR216 m deal

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Concerning my last post, you can find the data at...
The FASTBOAT Patch page/Page 13/Post 123/MBT Section/Item A4/Most of the refs still good. It shows some of the complexity concerning the LEO issue for Indonesia "follow the bouncing ball" comes to mind also the refs. "dove tail" with where the tanks (Dutch.) ended up.

A couple hours here, a couple hours there, I REALLY hate a !#&*%+ bad cold and the sinus issues associated!!

Back to bed!!

Regards,
Pat