Boko Haram insurgents may be facing the final onslaught from the Nigerian Army as it took delivery of high grade VT4/ MBT3000 battle armoured tanks and artillery vehicles from China.
The VT4/ MBT3000 is a Chinese third generation main battle tank built to specification by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) for overseas export. They were ordered by the Nigeria’s Federal Government.
According to information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters, the armoured tanks and vehicles, upgraded variant of the MBT2000 (VT-1) and the latest tank model from the Type 90-II tank family,are equipped with latest technologies and have the ability to wage war from multiple fronts and cloudy or smoky weathers.
The MBT-3000 concept debuted at the 2012 Eurosatory. The tank was subsequently shown at the 2014 Norinco Armor Day and the tenth China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition as the VT-4.
The VT-4 has a 125mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing APFSDS, HESH, HEAT and HE rounds and guided missiles. There is also a remote weapon station on the turret armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The fire control system has hunter-killer capabilities, laser rangefinder, panoramic sight, and a third generation thermal imaging system.
The tank appears to have composite and explosive reactive armor. The turret front has wedge shaped armor and the hull sides have armored sideskirts. The tank is equipped with an active protection system designated GL5, defensive grenade launchers, and a laser warning device. The vehicle also has an IFF system, NBC protection, explosion suppression system, fire extinguishing system, and air conditioning.
The Chief of Policy and Plans (CPPLANs), Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, who received the consignment, said that Nigerians should expect more robust operations against Boko Haram and other forms of insecurity in the country.
“The process of acquiring this has been on for some time but thank God they are coming in now.
“From this, you can see how serious the Federal Government of Nigeria is in making sure that the Nigerian Army is not only equipped ,but contains problem of insecurity we are having across the country.
“This is being tackled with trained personnel and required equipment. What you are seeing here is just a tip of the iceberg. Others are still coming but it is very important that we all see that both the military and the government are really very serious to tackle the security problems across the nation.”
