26 Desember 2020
Ukraine will Upgrade PT-76 for Indonesia
The state company Ukrspetsexport has prepared a large-scale project to modernize the PT-76 light amphibious tanks. This project will be implemented both for the Republic of Indonesia and for other countries in the Asian region, in particular for Vietnam. A representative of the company told Defense Express about it.
The first (trial) contract provides for the modernization of 40 cars. In the future, the modernization program should become national and will exceed 300 units.
During consultations with Ukrainian plants, it was decided that as part of the modernization of the amphibious tank PT-76 will receive a number of changes.
First of all, the regular engine will be remotorized to the Cummins VT400 engine. Cummins is not only the largest manufacturer of diesel engines, but also an expert in the field of their adaptation for various types of equipment.
The standard transmission will be replaced by an Allison transmission. The tank suspension will be reinforced with 4 additional shock absorbers.
PT-76 will receive a submachine gun for 90-mm ammunition for Cockerill Mk 3M-A2 guns. Protection of the car will be strengthened thanks to equipping with system of active protection "Zaslon-L".
A modern digital multifunctional weapon aiming and control system "Synthesis" will be installed on the tank. Improving the interaction of units, as well as increasing the level of orientation and combat control will be carried out by equipping the tank with modern navigation systems "Basalt".
The machine will receive additional Harris radios, as well as AVZK intercom and communications radios.
The ergonomics and living conditions of the crew will be improved by equipping the machine with servo controls (tank control levers will be replaced by steering). The car will also receive regular water jet propulsion systems.
The PT-76 modernization program will help expand the presence of the Ukrainian defense industry on the world market. Yuriy Shramko, Deputy General Director of Ukrspetsexport, commented on this in a comment to Defense Express: The program of modernization of armored vehicles covers not only PT-76, but also other models of equipment and aims to jointly produce a new type of amphibious tanks on the basis of Ukrainian plants." (Defense Express)
Indonesian PT-76 tanks will be armed with Ukrainian missiles
The PT-76 light floating tank, which Ukraine will upgrade for Indonesia, will be armed with Ukrainian missiles. As it became known, Defense Express, installed on the tank 90-mm gun Cockerill Mk 3M-A2 of the Belgian company CMI Defense will use an anti-tank guided missile Falarick 90 from State Kiev Design Bureau "Luch".
The Ukrainian side already has an agreement with Indonesia on the purchase of these missiles. Earlier, Defense Express reported that Ukrainian companies will upgrade PT-76 tanks for Indonesia and other countries in the Asian region according to a project prepared by the state company Ukrspetsexport.
As part of the modernization, the tank will receive a number of changes: a new engine, transmission, active protection system "Zaslon-L", digital multifunctional aiming and weapon control system "Synthesis", modern navigation system "Basalt", Harris radios and other improvements.
PT Lumindo Artha Sejati will be the customer and partner of Ukrspetsexport in Indonesia, as Indonesian law provides for cooperation with a foreign contractor through a local company.
Yuriy Shramko, Deputy General Director of Ukrspetsexport, said in a comment to Defense Express earlier :
The Falarick 90 anti-tank guided missile is designed to hit stationary and mobile modern armored targets with combined, spaced or monolithic armor, including dynamic protection, small targets such as long-range firing points, a tank in a trench or lightly armored objects and helicopters.
The maximum firing range is 4 km. Control system - semi-automatic laser beam. The warhead is tandem cumulative, the armor penetration for dynamic protection is not less than 550 mm. The weight of the shot is 20.05 kg.