Royal Thai Army VT-4 Main Battle Tank conduct deep wading or deep fording test. This tank drives on the water and uses screens or a pipe (a snorkel) that reaches above the water surface for an air supply. The technique has been used by armoured military vehicles such as tanks and armored personnel carriers. Deep fording generally implies driving through water of such a depth that the vehicle is mostly or entirely submerged by the water, sometimes to several times the height of the vehicle itself, as well as a sealed crew compartment, complete with air supply for the crew.
The VT4 main battle tank also known as the MBT3000, is a Chinese third generation main battle tank built by Norinco for overseas export. It is an upgraded variant of the MBT2000 (VT-1) and the latest tank model from the Type 90-II tank family. The VT-4 uses technology from the Type 99A currently fielded by the People’s Liberation Army. The VT-4 has a 125mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing APFSDS, HESH, HEAT and HE rounds and guided missiles. There is also a remote weapon station on the turret armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The fire control system has hunter-killer capabilities, laser rangefinder, panoramic sight, and a third generation thermal imaging system.
The tank appears to have composite and explosive reactive armor. The turret front has wedge shaped armor and the hull sides have armored sideskirts. The tank is equipped with a hard-kill active protection system designated GL5, defensive grenade launchers, and a laser warning device.
The Royal Thai Army has signed an agreement with China to procure the VT-4 main battle tank. The deal features an initial 28 units, with deliveries expected to commence before the end of 2016 and conclude within two years. The deal, thought to be valued at about USD150 million, includes an option to buy a further 153 vehicles. In April 2017, The Royal Thai Army has ordered an additional 10 VT-4 main battle tanks from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) worth $58 million.
