The Royal Thai Army signed the contract last month with the undisclosed number of tank and contract value. But the aim is to field a battalion of VT4, thar repirted thaiarmedforce.com.

Eelier, RTA ordered the 50 T-84 Oplot-M from Ukraine to meet the requirement of 200 new main battle tank. But the unrest in Ukraine delayed the delivery.

If RTA satisfied with the Chinese tank, the source said, they will order for to meet all unfilled requirement of 150 tanks.

“Even the VT4 will be manufacture in China but the contract require technology transfer to Thailand. Defense Technology Institute will be one of the technology receiver”

Delivery is expected in 2 years.

The VT-4 main battle tank, also known as the MBT3000, is a Chinese third generation main battle tank built by Norinco for overseas export. It is an upgraded variant of the MBT2000 (VT-1) and the latest tank model from the Type 90-II tank family.