Modern Armour

Classic technology demonstrator
Nice gimmick with the 130 mm main gun....
Would be interesting to know who at Rheinmetall did the market analysis
Anyway, I can guess which army will NOT be driving around with it for the next few years.

 

Subject Rheinmetall KF 51 "Panther" for the UAF
The picture shows the complete project sequence for the Leopard 2
Outlined in red is the timeframe for the implementation of the associated logistics
So in case anyone wonders why army X does not simply introduce the new superior tank type Y → In reality there are certain (not so) subtle differences to WoT

 

a bit late, but:

https://mobile.twitter.com/jesusfroman/status/1591461193197174785

see also:
国产无人战车扎堆亮相珠海航展，海陆空全面应对未来无人战争！_腾讯新闻

translated text:
Land Tiger - fire support unmanned combat vehicle

At the beginning of the opening of this air show, a new type of unmanned combat vehicle with a tracked chassis has attracted much attention. The vehicle uses five pairs of road wheel tracked chassis, and the front layout of the power system. A variety of weapons including guns, 40mm rockets, and miniature missiles. The author's first impression of the vehicle is that it is very similar to the Uranus-9 unmanned combat vehicle successfully developed by the 766th Production Technology Integration Supporting Company of the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2018 in terms of role positioning and mission use.

After the new unmanned combat vehicle was unveiled, it was affectionately called "40-fire unmanned combat vehicle" because it was equipped with eight 40mm anti-tank rocket launchers.

Judging from the released on-site pictures and demonstration videos, the unmanned turret of the vehicle is equipped with additional armor, and the comprehensive weapon station on the top of the turret is equipped with a variety of weapons. Four 40mm rocket launchers are installed, with sighting equipment and 2 miniature missile launchers on the top, the most eye-catching of which are 8 40mm rockets. From the appearance point of view, the rocket equipped on this vehicle is similar to the Type 69 40mm Type III rocket successfully developed in 1988 by our country. It is the same as Type I in terms of total weight, initial velocity and maximum speed, and its armor-piercing power is similar to that of Type II. Consistent, still 180mm/65°, effective range 200m.

The comprehensive weapon station of the new unmanned fire support vehicle is equipped with various weapons such as machine guns, rocket launchers and miniature rockets.

From the analysis of the specific configuration and weapon configuration, this unmanned combat vehicle should be a fire support vehicle. In the field environment, it will work with the ground-attack infantry department to attack enemy infantry groups, fortifications and armored vehicles. In the urban street fighting environment, the fire support unmanned combat vehicle can be controlled by the infantry unit operator via an encrypted wireless remote control, and it will travel to the inner city to conduct firepower deployment, close reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and targeting Guidance and other tasks.

 

Guess which hull the new Rheinmetall "Panther" is based on?

 

There is a lot of money at stake. This should essentially have an impact on the lucrative Indian market, I suspect:
Russia no doubt seeks a place in India’s Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) next-generation future tank program, which aims to replace India’s 40-year-old T-72s and upgraded T-90 derivatives
(...)
India had issued a request for information (RFI) to different MBT manufacturers.
Inquiries have reportedly been made to France for the Leclerc, South Korea for the K1, the US for the M1AX Abrams, Germany for the Leopard 2, Ukraine for the T-84 Oplot, Italy for the Ariete, Serbia’s Yugoimport for the M-84, Israel for the Merkava, the UK for the Challenger 2 and Turkey for the Altay.
Russia wants India to take its T-14 battle tanks – Asia Times

The fact that Russia, for well-known reasons, has problems fulfilling supply contracts with India does not make it any better.
As China is not considered as an arms supplier, there are good reasons why high-ranking US and EU delegations have recently been visiting India.

 

Refurbished vehicles, leasing, licences, compensation deals....
The list of how such deals are financed could go on endlessly.
But the day China delivers the Type 90 to India, of all places, will surely go down in history.

 

Local production of 464 T-90MS already started in India and, if I am not wrong, plan was for first 64 to be delivered during this or next year. But Russia was supposed to provide engine and transmission for those so not sure would there be any delays due war. Russia might sacrifice their own needs to keep India as the one of main customers satisfied. Also, a contract with India, or someone else, is probably the best chance Russia has to start production of T-14 for its own army. Currently there is no assembly line for them, all prototypes being hand made, seems like money intended for one was embezzled and no new money provided. Unless someone else jump and finance testing and production line it is hard to expect to see Armata in large numbers in Russian service any time soon.

Still, with all problems, Russian tanks could still be appealing to India just due their price, and I think that Russia would be ready to give any discount or privileged status to keep their military industry alive. Western tanks might be just to expensive to India. For example, Leopard 2A7 that Norway decided to buy, will cost 18+ million euros per unit. For country like India which require hundreds of tanks this might be to much. And other would not be much cheaper, if at all.

But who knows, maybe there is a chance for UK to sell newly developed CR3 turret as, accordingly, it could be fitted on T-72 hull, at least by turret ring size. Not sure if this would be feasible in reality. Or maybe even on Arjun. Or to use new experience to build with India a new tank. That would be something.

 

The Lexus/Toyota bid will be on it's way as we speak ;-)

Kind regards, always,

Jim.