The Vickers MBT was a series of Main Battle Tanks developed as a private venture by Vickers-Armstrongs for export.
The Mk 1
Vijayanta a.k.a. Vickers Mk 1 MBT
The mark one was designed to be a simple low cost but effective tank.[1] The first prototype was completed in 1963.[1] It weighs 38,000 kg carried a 105mm gun and had a top speed of 48 km/h.[1] 70 tanks were sold to Kuwait and a large number of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called Vijayanta.[1]
The Mk 2
A Mk 2 version was planned, to be equipped with four Swingfire anti-tank missiles in addition to the main gun, but this did not enter production.[2] Other changes included a new turret design and tracks that could sustain running at 35MPH.[3]
The Mk 3
The prototype of the mark 3 was completed in 1975 and the tank was designed to meet the same requirements as the mark one while offering better performance.[4] Production started in 1978 and a number of tanks were sold to Kenya and Nigeria.[4] The tank is again armed with a 105mm main gun and has a top speed of 50 km/h.[4] It has a combat weight of 40,000 kg.[4] Vickers also produced armoured vehicle-launched bridge and armoured recovery vehicle versions.[5] Tanzania ordered a small number of the armoured recovery vehicle version.[5]
There was also a Vickers Marksman SPAAG version, equipped with the Marksman turret.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Gelbart, Marsh (1996). Tanks main battle and light tanks. Brassey’s UK Ltd. p. 108. ISBN 185753168X.
- ↑ Ogorkiewicz, R M (1973). Vickers Battle Tank, Profile Publications, August 1973.
- ↑ Foss, Christopher F; McKenzie, Peter (1988). The Vickers tanks From landships to Challenger. Patrick Stephens Limited. pp. 185–186. ISBN 1853601418.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Gelbart, Marsh (1996). Tanks main battle and light tanks. Brassey’s UK Ltd. pp. 109–110. ISBN 185753168X.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Foss, Christopher F; McKenzie, Peter (1988). The Vickers tanks From landships to Challenger. Patrick Stephens Limited. p. 200. ISBN 1853601418.
Related links
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). |
