T-54B symbolizes the determination to modernize Vietnamese armored vehicles

For many people, the special impression of the Vietnamese armored force participating in the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2 was the improved T-54B - a tank that looked both strange and familiar leading the formation.

T-54B is an improved version of the T-54/T-55 tank line currently in service with the Vietnam People's Army. The special thing is that the T-54B upgrade process is carried out by the Vietnamese defense industry itself. It can be said that the improved T-54B is a symbol of the strength of Vietnam's armored force in the stage of moving straight to modernity.

In addition to participating in the National Day parade on September 2, the improved T-54B tank was also introduced at the National Achievement Exhibition "80 years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" inside the Ministry of National Defense 's outdoor exhibition area alongside other modern tanks such as the T-90S/SK and T-62.

According to the introduction board of the Armored Corps at the exhibition, the improved T-54B is a medium tank. Compared to the original T-54, the vehicle is equipped with a modern optical system, a more powerful engine and improved armor, the improved T-54B meets the requirements of operations in high-tech warfare conditions.

The vehicle has a combat weight of 36.3 tons; length 9m; width 3.27m; height 2.75m. The combat crew on the improved T-54B consists of 4 people including the commander, gunner, driver, and loader. These positions are similar to those on the T-54.

One of the highlights of the T-54 upgrade is the upgrade of the V-55 diesel engine system. This change helps improve the vehicle's maneuverability, increase performance as well as operating range. The maximum speed can reach 50km/h, the operating range on paved roads is 550km and on dirt roads is 520km.

Thanks to engine improvements, the T-54B can overcome many different types of terrain and obstacles such as 30-degree slopes, 25-degree slopes, trenches, underwater wading, and cliffs...

The main weapon of the improved T-54B tank is the D-10T 100mm caliber gun, with 38 rounds of ammunition. The tank can fire at a maximum rate of up to 7 rounds per minute. In addition, Vietnamese engineers also equipped the main gun with an insulating layer to protect it during continuous firing.

In addition to the main gun, the tank is also equipped with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

One of the important improvements on the T-54B is the improved aiming system and fire control system through thermal imaging system, laser rangefinder and ballistic calculation system through weather sensor system.

In addition to upgrading the weapon system, the T-54B tank also significantly upgraded its defense system through the integration of ATV-54 explosive reactive armor around the hull as well as the turret.

The equipment of explosive reactive armor helps T-54B upgrade passive protection similar to that of T-90 tank. ATV-54 explosive reactive armor will detonate anti-tank ammunition when the vehicle is attacked, helping to protect the main armor, thereby ensuring the safety of the combat crew as well as the vehicle.

The vehicle's gun system is enhanced with a box armor system in the front and cage armor in the rear to help protect the tank against conventional anti-tank weapons.

Combined with the reinforced outer armor, the vehicle's interior is equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system based on temperature sensors; an anti-weapons of mass destruction system and a smoke grenade launcher.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/t-54b-symbol-of-decisive-modern-modern-flower-of-tang-thiet-giap-viet-nam-post2149050870.html