Vickers MBT Main Battle Tank (1965)
The Vickers Main Battle Tank was developed with the budget-conscious export market in mind.
The Vickers series of tanks were highly conventional. They were fielded with the tried and proven L7 105mm rifled main gun with a ranging 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine gun along with some of the internal components already found in the Chieftain series. The result was a capable tank produced in number locally and abroad.
The Vickers was seen in two Mark series that included the Mk 1 and the upgraded Mk 3. The Mk2 was never put into production. The Mk 3 series varied from the Mk 1 in that a new Leyland 60 powerplant was fitted along with a welded-turret construction. The production of the Vickers tank produced several variants utilizing a similar chassis that included the VABV bridgelayer counterpart and an armored recovery vehicle. A further interesting variant of note is the 155mm self-propelled howitzer that can be converted from the MBT.
Production in India was handled by the Avadi Company. By the end of its production run in the mid 1980's, over 2,000 had been produced under license. Additional export customers included Kuwait, Kenya and Nigeria. As expected, the general Vickers tank can be fitted with several options to suit the buyer including an air filtration system, night vision equipment and fire extinguisher systems. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Vickers MBT
Main Battle Tank
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: BAE Systems Land Systems - UK / Avadi Company - India
Initial Year of Service: 1965
Production: 2,331
Focus Model: Vickers MBT
Crew: 4
Overall Length: 32.09ft (9.78m)
Width: 10.37ft (3.16m)
Height: 10.14ft (3.09m)
Weight: 42.7 US Short Tons (38,700kg; 85,319lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x Detroit Diesel 12V-71T turbocharged diesel engine generating 720 horsepower @ 2,500 rpm.
Maximum Speed: 31mph (50 km/h)
Maximum Range: 304 miles (490 km)
NBC Protection: Optional
Nightvision: Optional
Armament:
1 x 105mm Main Gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in coaxial mount
1 x 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun at commander's cupola.
1 x 12.7mm ranging heavy machine gun
12 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers
Ammunition:
50 x 105mm projectiles
700 x 12.7mm ammunition
2,400 x 7.62mm ammunition
12 x Smoke Grenades
Variants:
Vickers VMBT Mk 1 - Initial Production Model Series
Vickers VMBT Mk 1 "Vijayanta" - Indian Production Model.
Vickers VMBT Mk 2 - Never produced.
Vickers VMBT Mk 3 - Upgraded Production Model Series; fitted with Leyland L60 powerplant and constructed with a welded turret.
Vickers VABV - Armored Bridgelayer
VIckers ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle
Vickers MBT 155mm - Self-Propelled Howitzer
Operators: India; Kenya; Kuwait; Nigeria; Tanzania
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