Chinese VT-4 tank breaks down during demonstration in Zhuhai

A Chinese VT-4 tank participating in a dynamic demonstration in Zhuhai broke down while trying to drive up a hill.

Here's What We Know

According to the Defence Blog, the VT-4 export tank was supposed to demonstrate its driving characteristics during the demonstration organised by Norinco, which featured tracked and wheeled vehicles. However, during one of the scenarios involving a hill run, the tank stopped due to a mechanical malfunction and stalled before completing the manoeuvre.

It remained near the artificial hill until the other vehicles completed their demonstrations, after which it was evacuated. The cause of the malfunction is not yet known.

Despite the wide range of products the company offers for export, most of the samples have a much lower price, which may indicate certain features of the production process or the quality of individual components. The VT-4 tank is equipped with a 12-cylinder VT/E1 engine with a capacity of 1200 horsepower, mated to a Ch1000B automatic transmission.

In addition, this case is reminiscent of an incident that occurred during a tank biathlon organised by Russia in 2016. During the high-speed stage of the competition, a Chinese Type 96B tank specially designed for the competition fell off its track roller.

Source: Defence Blog