Here are some AFV related news stories from the past week:
Janes IHS: More details emerge on new Chinese light tank
A recent Chinese report and the first close-up image have revealed details of a new light tank that first appeared on Chinese web pages in late 2011.
The popular Chinese web portal Sina.com published a report on the tank on 23 January, offering an assessment of its history and missions and providing new details of its armament and features.
Confirming previous reports that it weighs about 35 tonnes, the Sina.com report noted that the new vehicle continued the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) interest in light tanks that started in the 1950s due to a requirement to negotiate the unprepared roads, low-capacity bridges and rice paddies then common in southern China. This led to the 21 ton e Type 62/WZ-131 in 1962.
The Jakarta Post: Pindad Begins Production of Badak Armored Vehicle
State-owned weapons producer PT Pindad is preparing to produce its latest type of light-armored vehicle, called a Badak, for the Indonesian Army.
“Vice President Jusuf Kalla has ordered 50 units of Badak for the Army, and we are preparing to start production,” Pindad president director Silmy Karim told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Kalla visited Pindad in Bandung last week and ordered 50 units of Badak. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Industry Minister Saleh Husin accompanied Kalla during the visit.
Interaksyon.com: Philippine Army to “Recycle” Old Scorpion Tanks
The Philippines will “recycle” its decommissioned Scorpion light reconnaissance tanks to bolster the Army’s existing fleet of armored vehicles.
The Defense Department recently signed a P888-million contract with Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Land and C41 to upgrade 24 of the Philippine Army’s M113 armored personnel carriers.
A major part of the project is the transfer of the Scorpion’s two-man turret, which is equipped with a 76mm cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun, onto the M113 — transforming it from a “battle taxi” into a fire support vehicle.
The upgraded M113 fire support vehicle will be equipped with new fire control and thermal imaging systems that will give the FSVs all-weather capability to detect and engage targets at longer distances as well as improve weapon accuracy.
RBTH.com: No Immediate Plans to Buy Russian Tanks – Thai Official
Thailand does not have any immediate plans to buy Russian tanks, Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Udomdej Sitabutra told Xinhua news.
Sitabutra dismissed media reports that the Royal Thai Army has plans to purchase T-14 Armata and T-90 main battle tanks from Russia.
“There has been no such thing as talk over any Russian tanks as far as the army was concerned,” Udomdej told the news agency.
For those interested in the history of WW2 German Panzer units, a new book has been released on the history of the 11th Panzer Division. Titled “Ghost Division: The 11th “
The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armored military vehicles. It is one of the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world.
individual seats replacing benches. The increased weight (10,000 pounds) will be offset by a new, more powerful VT903 engine that boosts horsepower from 525 to 675, as well as a new power take-off unit and KDS transmission. SAIC is handling the upgrades, which run $1.65 million per vehicle. The Corps looks to beef up 392 personnel variants, which would provide lift for four infantry battalions.
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