Vickers MBT
Vijayanta
Overview
Vickers Mk 3
Forward view of Vickers Mk 3 main battle tank.
Source: www.armyrecognition.com -
© copyright lies with original owner
India - Avadi
Al Jahra | Kuwaiti service
Kuwait
Nigeria
Kenya
Description
Introduction
The Vickers MBT is a main battle tank of UK origin. It was developed by Vickers in the early 1960's for export sales. The Chieftain that was developed for the UK army would be too heavy and far too costly for export to Asia and Africa. The Vickers MBT was developed as a budget tank and uses various components of the Centurion and Chieftain designs.
Design
The Vickers MBT has a conventional layout. The driver is seated in the front. The turret is placed in the middle and seats the commander, gunner and loader. The engine and drive train are placed at the rear. Many automotive parts are also used on the Chieftain. Sleek straight side skits make the Vickers MBT easy to recognize. The original Mk 1 has a squared turret with large gun mantlet. The Mk 3 has a cast turret and various other improvements, including a more powerful engine. Based on the same chassis a recovery vehicle and bridgelayer were developed.
Firepower
The main armament of the Vickers MBT is the 105mm L7 rifled cannon. The proven L7 cannon provides serious punch and has good accuracy. Against the most modern main battle tanks the L7 is of limited use, but it is more than adequate for the threats the users of the Vickers MBT face. A 7.62mm machine gun is installed as a coaxial weapon and a 12.7mm ranging machine gun aids in firing the main gun. An additional 7.62mm machine gun is fitted on the turret roof for anti-aircraft use.
Protection
For a main battle tank the Vickers MBT has poor armor protection. The steel armor is up to 80mm thick at the turret front, 60 to 80mm thick at the hull front and 20 to 40mm at the hull sides. This provides the crew protection from small arms fire and shell splinters all around and autocannon and weak anti-armor weapons over the frontal arc. An NBC system is present as are smoke grenade dischargers.
Mobility
The Vickers MBT has a reasonable mobility. The maximum speed is rather limited, being below 50 km/h. The tracked chassis and reasonable power to weight ratio ensure a good off road capability. The Mk 1 uses a 650 hp multifuel engine while the Mk 3 uses a 720 hp turbocharged diesel engine.
Users
The Vickers MBT was produced only for export sales. The first and main user of the Vickers MBT is India. About 2.200 were produced in India and over some remain in service today. They are to be replaced by newer models. The second nation to order was Kuwait. From 1977 to 1995 batches were acquired by various African nations.
Variants
Vickers MBT Mk 1
The Vickers Mk 1 is the first production model of the Vickers MBT. It features a squared box-like turret with large gun mantlet. The Leyland L60 multifuel engine that was developed for the Chieftain provides propulsion. The Vickers Mk 2 was to be a Mk 1 fitted with a Swingfire missile on each side of the turret. The Mk 2 was never put in production.
Vickers MBT Mk 3
The Vickers Mk 3 is a much improved version of the Vickers MBT. The Mk 3 features a cast turret, more powerful engine, a commander's cupola and laser range finder. It also carries more ammunition and has improved fire controls.
Vickers ARRV
The Vickers Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle is based on the Vickers MBT Mk 3 chassis. Instead of a turret it has an armored superstructure, a powerful winch and a crane. India produced a local design with a similar role. The Vijayanta ARV has a box superstructure, winch and A-frame crane.
Vickers AVLB
The Vickers armored bridgelayer is based on the Vickers MBT chassis. Instead of a turret it carries a single piece 13 m MLC 60/70 bridge which it can launch and recover using the front mounted frame. During launch and recovery the frame rests on the ground.
The Indian Kartik is a local development on a lengthened Vijayanta chassis with seven roadwheels. This uses an East German BLG-60 type scissor bridge, making it a more capable system than the Vickers AVLB.
Details
Media
Vickers Mk 3
Vickers Mk 3 crossian a bridge.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Vijayanta
Right side view of Indian Vijayanta main battle tanks.
Source: www.jedsite.info
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Vickers Mk 1
Left side view showing the angular turret of the Vickers Mk 1.
Source: www.armyrecognition.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Vickers Mk 3
Rear view of Vickers Mk 3 main battle tank.
Source: www.military-today.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Vickers ARRV
Vickers ARRV Mk 3 on trails with the manufacturer in the UK. Note the earth anchor at the front and the spare powerpack carried at the rear.
Source: BAe Systems
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
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105mm Royal Ordnance L7
The main armament of the Vickers MBT is the widely used 105mm L7 rifled cannon.