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{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|is_vehicle=yes
| is_vehicle = yes
|is_UK=yes
| is_UK = yes
|name=Vickers Mark 1
| name = Vickers MBT Mk. 1
|type=[[Main battle tank]]
| type = [[Main battle tank]]
|origin= [[United Kingdom]]
| origin = [[United Kingdom]]
|image= AB133 - Vijayanta MBT.JPG
| image = AB133 - Vijayanta MBT.JPG
|image_size = 325
| image_size = 325
|caption=''Vijayanta'' MBT, a variant of the Vickers Mk. 1
| caption = ''Vijayanta'' MBT, a variant of the Vickers Mk. 1
<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->| service = 1965–2008
| used_by = See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
|service= 1965–2008 (Vijayanta)
| wars = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] <br> [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] <br> [[Iraqi invasion of Kuwait]]<br> [[2019 India–Pakistan standoff]]

<!-- Production history -->| designer = Vickers
|used_by=[[#Operators|See users]]
| design_date =
|wars=[[Iraq-Kuwait War]]<br>[[Somali Civil War]]<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Tom_Antonov|number=589446134910820352|date=18 April 2015|title=Kenyan army & AMISOM capture the port of Kuday #Somalia from #AlShabaab militants}}{{better source|date=September 2018}}</ref><br>[[Boko Haram insurgency]]
| manufacturer = [[Vickers Defence Systems]]
<!-- Production history -->
| unit_cost =
|designer=Vickers
| production_date = 1964–1994
|design_date=
| number =
|manufacturer=[[Vickers Defence Systems]]
| variants =
|unit_cost=
| length = {{convert|9.73|m|ftin|abbr=on}} overall gun forward
|production_date=1964–1994
| width = {{convert|3.17|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|number=
| height = {{convert|2.44|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|variants=
|length={{convert|9.728|m|ftin|abbr=on}} overall gun forward
| weight = {{convert|38|t|ST|abbr=on}}
| suspension = [[Torsion bar suspension|Torsion bars]]
|width={{convert|3.168|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| transmission = Merrit-Wilson TN-12 (6 fwd / 2 rev) with a triple differential steering system
|height={{convert|2.438|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight={{convert|38.8|t|ST|abbr=on}}
| speed = Road: {{convert|48|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} <br>Off road: {{convert|30|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range = {{convert|480|km|mi|abbr=in}} on roads
|suspension= [[Torsion bar suspension|Torsion bars]]
| primary_armament = 1 x [[Royal Ordnance L7|105&nbsp;mm L7A1]] gun (44 rounds)
|transmission=Merrit-Wilson TN-12 (6 fwd / 2 rev) with a triple differential steering system
| secondary_armament = 1 x 12.7&nbsp;mm L6A1 ranging machine gun with 700 rounds<br>1 x 7.62&nbsp;mm MG (pintle mount) with 1,300 rounds<br>1 x 7.62&nbsp;mm MG (coax) with 1,300 rounds
|speed=Road: {{convert|48|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} <br>Off road: {{convert|30|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| armour = Gun mantlet : 80&nbsp;mm<br>Turret front: 60&nbsp;mm<br>Turret sides: 40&nbsp;mm<br />Glacis: 60&nbsp;mm<br />Lower hull front: 80&nbsp;mm<br />Hull sides: 30&nbsp;mm
|vehicle_range={{convert|480|km|mi|abbr=in}} on roads
| engine = [[Leyland L60]] (multi-fuel [[Two-stroke engine|2-stroke]] [[Opposed-piston engine|opposed-piston]] [[Diesel engine|compression-ignition]])
|primary_armament = 1 x [[Royal Ordnance L7|105&nbsp;mm L7A1]] gun (44 rounds)
| engine_power = {{convert|535|hp|abbr=on}} 6 cyl, 19 litres
|secondary_armament = 1 x 12.7&nbsp;mm L6A1 ranging machine gun with 700 rounds<br>1 x 7.62&nbsp;mm MG (pintle mount) with 1,300 rounds<br>1 x 7.62&nbsp;mm MG (coax) with 1,300 rounds
| pw_ratio = 13.79 bhp/t
|armour=Gun mantlet : 80&nbsp;mm<br>Turret front: 60&nbsp;mm<br>Turret sides: 40&nbsp;mm<br />Glacis: 60&nbsp;mm<br />Lower hull front: 80&nbsp;mm<br />Hull sides: 30&nbsp;mm
| crew = 4
|engine=[[Leyland L60]] (multi-fuel [[Two-stroke engine|2-stroke]] [[Opposed-piston engine|opposed-piston]] [[Diesel engine|compression-ignition]])
|engine_power={{convert|535|hp|abbr=on}} 6 cyl, 19 litres
|pw_ratio=13.79 bhp/t
|crew=4
}}
}}
{{Cold War tanks|state=collapsed}}


The '''Vickers MBT''' is a series of [[main battle tank]]s (MBTs) developed as a private venture by British company [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] for export. The design makes use of proven components, such as the L7 gun of the [[Centurion tank|Centurion]], the [[Leyland L60]] multi-fuel engine, the transmission and fire control system of the [[Chieftain tank|Chieftain]]. Many tanks were also built by India under licence as the [[Vijayanta]].
The '''Vickers MBT''' is a series of [[main battle tank]]s (MBTs) developed as a private venture by British company [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] for export. The design makes use of proven components, such as the L7 gun of the [[Centurion tank|Centurion]], the [[Leyland L60]] multi-fuel engine, the transmission and fire control system of the [[Chieftain tank|Chieftain]]. A variant was built under licence in India as the [[Vijayanta]], and served with the [[Indian Army]].


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
The Vickers MBT followed on from a 24-tonne [[Ordnance QF 20-pounder|20-pdr]] gunned tank design intended for export.<ref name="Ogorkiewicz, R M 1973">Ogorkiewicz, R M (1973). ''Vickers Battle Tank'', Profile Publications, August 1973.</ref> This would be as well equipped as a [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] but substantially cheaper and with [[Vickers Vigilant]] missiles as effective. However, with the appearance of the [[Royal Ordnance L7|105&nbsp;mm L7]] gun into the British, US and German tank designs, this light tank would have been less powerful while too large for the reconnaissance role, and so a new design was required. With armour twice that of the light tank design, it would still be 12 tonnes lighter than Centurion and hence more mobile. The design would use the new engine and transmission of the Chieftain tank then being developed. The development coincided with an agreement with India in 1961 to produce a tank design and help set up a factory there to produce it.
The Vickers MBT followed on from a 24-tonne [[Ordnance QF 20-pounder|20-pdr]] gunned tank design intended for export.<ref name="Ogorkiewicz, R M 1973">Ogorkiewicz, R M (1973). ''Vickers Battle Tank'', Profile Publications, August 1973.</ref> This would be as well equipped as a [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] but substantially cheaper and with eight [[Vickers Vigilant]] anti-tank missiles it would be as effective. However, with the introduction of the [[Royal Ordnance L7|105&nbsp;mm L7]] gun into the British, US and German tank designs, this light tank would have been less powerful while too large for the reconnaissance role, and so a new design was required. With armour twice that of the light tank design, it would still be 12 tonnes lighter than Centurion and hence more mobile. The design would use the new engine and transmission of the Chieftain tank then being developed. The development coincided with an agreement with India in 1961 to produce a tank design and help set up a factory there to produce it.


The Vickers MBT Mk 1 was designed to be a simple, low-cost, but effective tank.<ref name=TGelbart108>{{Cite book|last=Gelbart |first=Marsh |title=Tanks main battle and light tanks |year=1996 |publisher=Brassey’s UK Ltd |isbn=1-85753-168-X |page=108}}</ref> The first prototype was completed in 1963.<ref name=TGelbart108 /> In 1964, one of the prototypes was sent to India.
The Vickers MBT Mk 1 was designed to be a simple, low-cost, but effective tank.<ref name=TGelbart108>{{Cite book|last=Gelbart |first=Marsh |title=Tanks main battle and light tanks |year=1996 |publisher=Brassey’s UK Ltd |isbn=1-85753-168-X |page=108}}</ref> The first prototype was completed in 1963.<ref name=TGelbart108 /> In 1964, one of the prototypes was sent to India.


The Vickers was made of welded [[rolled homogeneous armour]] plates. It weighed 38,600&nbsp;kg, carried a 105&nbsp;mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48&nbsp;km/h.<ref name=TGelbart108 /> 70 tanks were sold to [[Kuwait]] and many of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called [[Vijayanta]].<ref name=TGelbart108 />
The Vickers was made of welded [[rolled homogeneous armour]] plates. It weighed 38,600&nbsp;kg, carried a 105&nbsp;mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48&nbsp;km/h.<ref name=TGelbart108 /> 70 tanks were sold to [[Kuwait]] and many of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called [[Vijayanta]].<ref name=TGelbart108 />

=== Vickers MBT Mark 1(i) ===
Fitted with a General Motors Detroit Diesel 12V-71T engine, a thermal sleeve for the gun (L7A1 gun redesignated L7A2) and improved optics.


==Versions==
==Versions==
*'''Vickers MBT Mk. 1''': original model.
*'''''Al Jahra''''': Mk. 1 sold to Kuwait in 1970, it includes modifications to the engine filters for use in desert conditions and featured [[transistor]]ed [[Associated Electrical Industries|AEI]] gun control equipment instead of [[General Electric Company|GEC]] [[Valve amplifier|valve]], one rear wheel on either side was moved backwards to improve wheel loading, trench crossing and reduce ground pressure, they also lack flotation equipment.<ref name="Patrick Stephens Limited">{{cite book |last1=Foss |first1=Christopher F. |last2=McKenzie |first2=Peter |title=The Vickers Tanks: From Landship to Challenger |date=1988 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Limited |isbn=9781852601416 |page=256}}</ref>
*'''Vickers MBT Mark 1(i)''': improved Mk. 1 fitted with a General Motors [[Detroit Diesel Series 71|Detroit Diesel 12V-71T]] engine, a thermal sleeve for the gun (L7A1 gun redesignated L7A2) and improved optics.
*'''''[[Vijayanta]]''''': Mk. 1 built locally in [[India]].


== Other developments ==
===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2===
===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2===


Line 67: Line 65:
#Provision for fitting four [[Swingfire]] wire-controlled anti-tank missiles (intended as a response to weapons of greater range, such as the 120&nbsp;mm L11 tank gun.
#Provision for fitting four [[Swingfire]] wire-controlled anti-tank missiles (intended as a response to weapons of greater range, such as the 120&nbsp;mm L11 tank gun.


The Mark 2 did not proceed beyond a mock-up although a Vickers Mark 1 MBT with four Swingfire missiles, two mounted either side of the turret towards the rear, was shown at [[Farnborough Airshow|Farnborough]]. A note in Vickers's files dated from 20 November 1970 explains the probable reason: "Guided missiles have an inherent disadvantage in that is almost impossible to fire them from under armour since the rocket motor efflux presents a serious problem. Generally speaking, the best that can be achieved is to put the crew under armour and mount the missiles externally. This presents reloading problems and leaves the missiles vulnerable to small arms and mortar fire."{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}


In any case, only four spare missile rounds could be carried.<ref name="Patrick Stephens Limited"/>
The Mark 2 did not proceed beyond a mock-up although a Vickers Mark 1 MBT with four Swingfire missiles, two mounted either side of the turret towards the rear, was shown at [[Farnborough Airshow|Farnborough]]. A note in Vickers's files dated from 20 November 1970 explains the probable reason:


===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 3===
"Guided missiles have an inherent disadvantage in that is almost impossible to fire them from under armour since the rocket motor efflux presents a serious problem. Generally speaking, the best that can be achieved is to put the crew under armour and mount the missiles externally. This presents reloading problems and leaves the missiles vulnerable to small arms and mortar fire."
{{Main|Vickers MBT Mark 3}}
[[File:AMISOM forces in Saa'moja outside Kismayo 14 (8049898219).jpg|thumb|Silhouette of Kenyan troops on top of a Vickers Mark 3 outside of [[Kismayo]], Somalia in 2012]]


In any case, only four spare missile rounds could be carried.<ref name="Patrick Stephens Limited">{{cite book |last1=Foss |first1=Christopher F. |last2=McKenzie |first2=Peter |title=The Vickers Tanks: From Landship to Challenger |date=1988 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Limited |isbn=9781852601416 |page=256}}</ref>
The Mk. 3 was introduced in 1975<ref name="Pen and Sword Military">{{cite book |last1=Lüdeke |first1=Alexander |title=International Tank Developments from 1970 |date=2018 |publisher=Pen and Sword Military |isbn=978-1473891418 |page=128}}</ref> for the export market. It was the last of the Vickers tanks to see sales in numbers abroad.
In 1974, Vickers pressed on with development of a Mark 3 version. This stems from Design No. 51400 T and differs from the Mark 1 mainly in having a turret with a well-shaped cast front welded to a fabricated armour plate body. It also has a cast gun mantlet which is better shaped from the point of view of its resistance to armour-piercing projectiles than the flat mantlet of the Mark. 1.<ref>{{Cite book|title=AFV Weapons Profile|last=Ogorkiewicz |first=R. M.|publisher=Duncan Crow|date=September 1973 |pages=21}}</ref> The Mark 3 embodies various other improvements, such as an increase in the depression of its main gun from -7 to -10 degrees below the horizontal and an increase in the ammunition from 44 to 50 rounds. The first production order for Mk. 3 tanks was placed in 1977 by the Government of [[Kenya]]

===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 3===

The Mk. 3 retains most of the proposed features of the Mk. 2. Others were the provision for infrared/white-light searchlights and the abandonment of flotation gear. A laser rangefinder of the type being fitted to the Chieftain was also proposed since the range of the L7A1 105&nbsp;mm gun was well beyond that of the 12.7&nbsp;mm ranging machine gun fitted. Some thought was also given the idea of mounting the heavier British L11 120&nbsp;mm gun on the Vickers tank, but this was abandoned because the 105&nbsp;mm L7-series rifled gun was becoming the NATO standard, 120&nbsp;mm ammunition was more expensive than 105&nbsp;mm and was used only by the British Army in Europe, and the weight advantage of the Vicker's tank would be reduced.

The Mark 3 differs from the Mark 1 mainly in having a turret with well-shaped cast front welded to a fabricated armour plate body. It also has a cast gun mantlet which is better shaped from the point of view of its resistance to armour-piercing projectiles than the flat mantlet of the Mark. 1.<ref>{{Cite book|title=AFV Weapons Profile|last=Ogorkiewicz |first=R. M.|publisher=Duncan Crow|date=September 1973 |isbn=|location=|pages=21}}</ref>
A distinctive additional feature of the Mk. 3 turret is the fitting of a commander's contra-rotating cupola. This was not used on the Mk. 1 supplied to India (''Vijayanta'') in order to keep the overall height of the tank within a fixed limit. The cupola of the Mk. 3 has 360 degree hand traverse and is fitted with one sight periscope with a magnification of ×1 and ×10, and six periscopes for all-around observation. The first production order for Mk. 3 tanks was placed in 1977 by the Government of [[Kenya]].<ref name=TGelbart109>{{Cite book|last=Gelbart |first=Marsh |title=Tanks main battle and light tanks |year=1996 |publisher=Brassey’s UK Ltd |pages=109–110 |isbn=1-85753-168-X}}</ref>
In addition the Mark 3 embodied various other improvements, such as an increase in the depression of its gun from -7° to -10° below the horizontal and an increase in the ammunition stowage to 50 rounds.

Introduced in 1975,<ref name="Pen and Sword Military">{{cite book |last1=Lüdeke |first1=Alexander |title=International Tank Developments from 1970 |date=2018 |publisher=Pen and Sword Military |isbn=978-1473891418 |page=128}}</ref> the Mk. 3 has been supplied to Kenya between 1977 and 1981 also have a [[Pilkington]] PE Condor combined day/night sight. The gunner has a [[Barr & Stroud]] TLS (Tank Laser Sight) with a magnification of ×1 and ×10, which is also provided with a ballistic graticule.
Mk. 3s for the [[Nigerian Army]], for which production began in 1981, are also fitted with a Vickers Instruments L23<ref name="ReferenceA">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2003–2004</ref> gunner's laser rangefinder incorporating a Simrad LV352 laser.

==== Specifications ====
*Weight: 38,700&nbsp;kg or 39,500&nbsp;kg<ref name="Pen and Sword Military">{{cite book |last1=Lüdeke |first1=Alexander |title=International Tank Developments from 1970 |date=2018 |publisher=Pen and Sword Military |isbn=978-1473891418 |page=128}}</ref>
*Length gun forward: 9.78 m
*Length gun rear: 8.53 m
*Width: 3.16 m
*Height: 2.47 m
*Ground clearance: 0.432 m
*Ground pressure: 0.89&nbsp;kg/cm²
*Engine: 720&nbsp;bhp General Motor Detroit diesel 12V-71T or 800&nbsp;bhp Rolls-Royce CV12 TCA
*Power/weight ratio: 18&nbsp;bhp/t
*Transmission: Self-Changing Gears Ltd TN 12V5 fully automatic gearbox
*Suspension: torsion bar with secondary bars at stations 1,2 and 6
*Maximum gradient 58%
*Maximum tilt: 30%
*Trench: 3 m
*Vertical obstacle: 0.83 m
*Fording depth: 1.1 m
*Main armament: L7 rifled gun firing NATO 105&nbsp;mm APDS, [[High-explosive squash head|HESH]] and APFSDS ammunition (50 rounds)
*Secondary armament: one 12.7&nbsp;mm ranging machine gun (600 rounds) mounted coaxially with the main armament, together with another co-axial 7.62&nbsp;mm machine gun. One cupola-mounted 7.62&nbsp;mm machine gun operated from under armour by the commander (3,000 rounds in total). Multi-barrel dischargers are fitted on each side of the turret to fire smoke or anti-personnel grenades.
*Gun control: Marconi Command and Control Systems EC620 system providing full weapon stabilisation.
*Fire control system: Marconi Command and Control Systems SFC 600 computerized system
*Protection: Maximum protection is over the frontal arc of 60° on the welded hull and 45° on the cast turret. Elsewhere, protection is provided against near-burst medium artillery. Protection against mines is by means of additional floor patch plates.
*Crew: 4
*Speed: 50&nbsp;km/h
*Range: 530&nbsp;km

====Mark 3 AVLB====
Also known as Vickers AVLB, it was based on the Mk. 3 and is equipped with a hydraulically operated launch and recovery system for an MLC 60/70 scissors bridge with a length of 13.41 m.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====Mark 3 ARV/ARRV====
It was based on the Mk. 3 and is equipped with a main winch, pulleys, cables and towbars. Some vehicles have a crane capable of lifting 4,000&nbsp;kg.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====Mark 3(I)====
In 1985, design work began on a Mk. 3 (improved) tank. The improvements over the previous Mk. 3 specification comprise the following:
*850&nbsp;bhp Rolls-Royce CV12 TCE diesel coupled to a new T1200 transmission with six forward and two reverse gears.
*Two additional periscopes for the driver.
*The fitting of a muzzle reference system (MRS) to allow for rapid compensation to be made for barrel movement due to the effects of ambient temperature or heat from firing.
*Ground clearance raised by 25&nbsp;mm.
*Some design changes to the hull, most noticeably a front cast glacis plate which improves its ballistic shape.<ref name="Ogorkiewicz, R M 1973" />

The Vickers Mark 3(I) was unveiled at the 1986 British Army Equipment Exhibition.

=====Specifications=====
<ref name="Patrick Stephens Limited"/>
*Weight: 41,000&nbsp;kg
*Length gun forward: 9.50 m
*Length gun rear: 8.53 m
*Width: 3.24 m
*Height: 2.44 m
*Ground clearance: 0.46 m
*Ground pressure: 0.85&nbsp;kg/cm²
*Power/weight ratio: 22&nbsp;bhp/t
*Maximum gradient 58%
*Maximum tilt: 30%
*Trench: 3 m
*Vertical obstacle: 0.91 m
*Fording depth: 1.1 m
*Crew: 4
*Speed: 59&nbsp;km/h
*Range: 530&nbsp;km

====Mark 3(M)====
The Mk. 3 (Modernized) is dated back to the early 1990s. It features an improved protection against [[shaped charge]] warheads by adding a [[Royal Ordnance]] ROMOR-A explosive reactive armour or the or Vickers Defence Systems VARMA Series 2 explosive reactive on the forward portions of the hull and turret. In addition, the Mark 3M gunner's station features a day/thermal sight (the Avimo NVL 3200 or Thales Optronics Falcon), with a remote display for the commander.
In April 1997, Vickers selected the Officine Galileo modular day/night panoramic periscopic for installation on the Mark 3M. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and the Avimo LIRD-2 laser warning system (linked to the smoke grenade dischargers) are also part of the Mark 3(M) package.


===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4 (Valiant)===
===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4 (Valiant)===
{{Main|Vickers MBT Mark 4}}


{{Main|Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4}}
In 1977, Vickers produced a design for a vehicle that incorporated Chobham composite armour protection within a battle weight of 43 tonnes. This first prototype, designated the Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4.
In 1977, Vickers produced a design for a vehicle that incorporated Chobham composite armour protection within a battle weight of 43 tonnes. This first prototype, designated the Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4.


===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 7===
===Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 7===
{{Main|Vickers MBT Mark 7}}


The Vickers Mk 7 consisted of a third generation Vickers Valiant turret mounted on a Krauss-Maffei-supplied chassis that in the prototype is essentially that of the Leopard 2 MBT.
The Vickers Mk 7 consisted of a third generation Vickers Valiant turret mounted on a Krauss-Maffei-supplied chassis that in the prototype is essentially that of the Leopard 2 MBT.
Line 162: Line 89:


===Vickers Anti-aircraft Tank===
===Vickers Anti-aircraft Tank===
Equipped with the [[Marksman anti-aircraft system|Marksman]] turret,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> as well as a self-propelled 155mm howitzer with the GBT 155 turret.<ref>Tanks of the World (1990) {{ISBN|3-7637-5871-2}}</ref> The GBT 155 was unveiled in 1982 and was armed with the same 155mm ordnance as the [[AS-90]]. It was designed primarily for existing tank chassis.<ref>Jane's Armour and Artillery 1993–1994</ref>
Equipped with the [[Marksman anti-aircraft system|Marksman]] turret,<ref name="ReferenceA">Jane's Armour and Artillery 2003–2004</ref> as well as a self-propelled 155mm howitzer with the GBT 155 turret.<ref>Tanks of the World (1990) {{ISBN|3-7637-5871-2}}</ref> The GBT 155 was unveiled in 1982 and was armed with the same 155mm ordnance as the [[AS-90]]. It was designed primarily for existing tank chassis.<ref>Jane's Armour and Artillery 1993–1994</ref>


==Operators==
==Operators==
[[File:Vickers operators.png|thumb|400px|Map of Vickers operators in blue with former operators in red]]
[[File:Vickers MBT users.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Operators {{legend|#4c91bf|Current}} {{legend|#b2182b|Former}}]]


===Current operators===
===Current operators===
Line 175: Line 102:
*{{flag|India}} - 90 Vickers Mk. 1 built by Vickers and shipped to India in 1965 where it carried the designation Vijayanta (phased out in 2008).
*{{flag|India}} - 90 Vickers Mk. 1 built by Vickers and shipped to India in 1965 where it carried the designation Vijayanta (phased out in 2008).
*{{flag|Kuwait}} - 70 Vickers Mk. 1 delivered in 1970–1972, probably no longer operational<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*{{flag|Kuwait}} - 70 Vickers Mk. 1 delivered in 1970–1972, probably no longer operational<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*{{Flag|Iraq|1991}} - Limited usage of captured Kuwaiti Mk. 1s, all scrapped or destroyed.<ref name="archive.org">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/EquipmentOfTheIraqiArmy1958-2003specialReportVol.1|title=Former Equipment of Iraqi Army|website=Archive.org|accessdate=17 July 2018|page={{page needed|date=September 2018}}}}</ref>
*{{Flag|Iraq|1991}} - limited usage of captured Kuwaiti Mk. 1s, all scrapped or destroyed.<ref name="archive.org">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/EquipmentOfTheIraqiArmy1958-2003specialReportVol.1|title=Former Equipment of Iraqi Army|website=Archive.org|access-date=17 July 2018|page={{page needed|date=September 2018}}}}</ref>
*{{flagicon image|AQMI Flag.svg}} [[Boko Haram]] - few Nigerian Mk. 3 were captured, later they were knocked out or recaptured by Nigerian Army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/investigationspecial-reports/192014-special-report-inside-boko-harams-routes-of-death-destruction-and-humanitarian-crises.html|title=SPECIAL REPORT: Inside Boko Haram's routes of death, destruction and humanitarian crises|website=premiumtimesng.com|date=24 October 2015|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/257267-nigerian-troops-destroy-boko-haram-tactical-ground-recover-battle-tank-others.html|title=Nigerian troops destroy Boko Haram tactical ground, recover battle tank, others|website=premiumtimesng.com|date=1 February 2018|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2018/01/31/troops-recover-battle-tanks-from-boko-haram/amp/|title=Troops Recover Battle Tanks From Boko Haram|website=channelstv.com|date=31 January 2018|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>



==See also==
==See also==
{{commons category|Vickers MBT}}
* [[Challenger 1]] and [[Challenger 2|2]]
* [[Challenger 1]] and {{lwc|Challenger 2|2}}
* [[Chieftain tank|Chieftain]]
* {{lwc|Chieftain tank|Chieftain}}
* [[Vijayanta]]
* {{lwc|Vijayanta}}


==References==
==References==
Line 190: Line 118:


{{ModernUKAFVsNav}}
{{ModernUKAFVsNav}}
{{Cold War tanks|style=wide}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers MBT}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers MBT}}
Line 196: Line 125:
[[Category:Main battle tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Vickers]]
[[Category:Vickers]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1960s]]

Latest revision as of 03:31, 2 December 2024

Vickers MBT Mk. 1
Vijayanta MBT, a variant of the Vickers Mk. 1
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1965–2008
Used bySee Operators
WarsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
2019 India–Pakistan standoff
Production history
DesignerVickers
ManufacturerVickers Defence Systems
Produced1964–1994
Specifications
Mass38 t (42 short tons)
Length9.73 m (31 ft 11 in) overall gun forward
Width3.17 m (10 ft 5 in)
Height2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
Crew4
ArmourGun mantlet : 80 mm
Turret front: 60 mm
Turret sides: 40 mm
Glacis: 60 mm
Lower hull front: 80 mm
Hull sides: 30 mm
Main
armament
1 x 105 mm L7A1 gun (44 rounds)
Secondary
armament
1 x 12.7 mm L6A1 ranging machine gun with 700 rounds
1 x 7.62 mm MG (pintle mount) with 1,300 rounds
1 x 7.62 mm MG (coax) with 1,300 rounds
EngineLeyland L60 (multi-fuel 2-stroke opposed-piston compression-ignition)
535 hp (399 kW) 6 cyl, 19 litres
Power/weight13.79 bhp/t
TransmissionMerrit-Wilson TN-12 (6 fwd / 2 rev) with a triple differential steering system
SuspensionTorsion bars
Operational
range
480 km (300 miles) on roads
Maximum speed Road: 48 km/h (30 mph)
Off road: 30 km/h (19 mph)

The Vickers MBT is a series of main battle tanks (MBTs) developed as a private venture by British company Vickers-Armstrongs for export. The design makes use of proven components, such as the L7 gun of the Centurion, the Leyland L60 multi-fuel engine, the transmission and fire control system of the Chieftain. A variant was built under licence in India as the Vijayanta, and served with the Indian Army.

Design and development

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The Vickers MBT followed on from a 24-tonne 20-pdr gunned tank design intended for export.[1] This would be as well equipped as a Centurion but substantially cheaper and with eight Vickers Vigilant anti-tank missiles it would be as effective. However, with the introduction of the 105 mm L7 gun into the British, US and German tank designs, this light tank would have been less powerful while too large for the reconnaissance role, and so a new design was required. With armour twice that of the light tank design, it would still be 12 tonnes lighter than Centurion and hence more mobile. The design would use the new engine and transmission of the Chieftain tank then being developed. The development coincided with an agreement with India in 1961 to produce a tank design and help set up a factory there to produce it.

The Vickers MBT Mk 1 was designed to be a simple, low-cost, but effective tank.[2] The first prototype was completed in 1963.[2] In 1964, one of the prototypes was sent to India.

The Vickers was made of welded rolled homogeneous armour plates. It weighed 38,600 kg, carried a 105 mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48 km/h.[2] 70 tanks were sold to Kuwait and many of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called Vijayanta.[2]

Versions

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  • Vickers MBT Mk. 1: original model.
  • Al Jahra: Mk. 1 sold to Kuwait in 1970, it includes modifications to the engine filters for use in desert conditions and featured transistored AEI gun control equipment instead of GEC valve, one rear wheel on either side was moved backwards to improve wheel loading, trench crossing and reduce ground pressure, they also lack flotation equipment.[3]
  • Vickers MBT Mark 1(i): improved Mk. 1 fitted with a General Motors Detroit Diesel 12V-71T engine, a thermal sleeve for the gun (L7A1 gun redesignated L7A2) and improved optics.
  • Vijayanta: Mk. 1 built locally in India.

Other developments

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Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 2

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The 1968 proposal for a vehicle specification that differed from the Mark 1 in the following respects:

  1. Transistorised gun-control equipment.
  2. New turret of cast front and mantlet-less design, with new gun mounting.
  3. Improved frontal aspect to the hull and turret.
  4. Improved track, suitable for 56 km/h (35 mph) continuously.
  5. Reduced ground pressure due to reduced total weight, increased track width and increased track on the ground by moving two (or three) rear wheel stations backwards (made possible by the change to a General Motors engine).
  6. Engine delivering full horsepower as for the Chieftain through redesigned final drives to give 56+ km/h (made possible by the General Motors engine's potential for uprating).
  7. Improved commander cupola to take the Chieftain vision devices.
  8. Provision for fitting four Swingfire wire-controlled anti-tank missiles (intended as a response to weapons of greater range, such as the 120 mm L11 tank gun.

The Mark 2 did not proceed beyond a mock-up although a Vickers Mark 1 MBT with four Swingfire missiles, two mounted either side of the turret towards the rear, was shown at Farnborough. A note in Vickers's files dated from 20 November 1970 explains the probable reason: "Guided missiles have an inherent disadvantage in that is almost impossible to fire them from under armour since the rocket motor efflux presents a serious problem. Generally speaking, the best that can be achieved is to put the crew under armour and mount the missiles externally. This presents reloading problems and leaves the missiles vulnerable to small arms and mortar fire."[citation needed]

In any case, only four spare missile rounds could be carried.[3]

Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 3

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Main article: Vickers MBT Mark 3
Silhouette of Kenyan troops on top of a Vickers Mark 3 outside of Kismayo, Somalia in 2012

The Mk. 3 was introduced in 1975[4] for the export market. It was the last of the Vickers tanks to see sales in numbers abroad. In 1974, Vickers pressed on with development of a Mark 3 version. This stems from Design No. 51400 T and differs from the Mark 1 mainly in having a turret with a well-shaped cast front welded to a fabricated armour plate body. It also has a cast gun mantlet which is better shaped from the point of view of its resistance to armour-piercing projectiles than the flat mantlet of the Mark. 1.[5] The Mark 3 embodies various other improvements, such as an increase in the depression of its main gun from -7 to -10 degrees below the horizontal and an increase in the ammunition from 44 to 50 rounds. The first production order for Mk. 3 tanks was placed in 1977 by the Government of Kenya

Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4 (Valiant)

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Main article: Vickers MBT Mark 4

In 1977, Vickers produced a design for a vehicle that incorporated Chobham composite armour protection within a battle weight of 43 tonnes. This first prototype, designated the Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 4.

Vickers Main Battle Tank Mark 7

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Main article: Vickers MBT Mark 7

The Vickers Mk 7 consisted of a third generation Vickers Valiant turret mounted on a Krauss-Maffei-supplied chassis that in the prototype is essentially that of the Leopard 2 MBT. The tank had a Marconi digital fire control system, an SFIM panoramic sight and a Philips 2nd Gen thermal imager.[6] The Mark 7 has three features that reduces the likelihood of its detection by night sights and other heat-sensing devices. These are its coat of infra-red reflective paint; the mixing of the hot exhaust gases with the cooling air before discharge; and a new design of thermal sleeve.[3]

Vickers Anti-aircraft Tank

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Equipped with the Marksman turret,[7] as well as a self-propelled 155mm howitzer with the GBT 155 turret.[8] The GBT 155 was unveiled in 1982 and was armed with the same 155mm ordnance as the AS-90. It was designed primarily for existing tank chassis.[9]

Operators

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Operators
  Current
  Former

Current operators

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  •  Kenya - 76 MBT Mk 3 and 7 ARV delivered in 1979–1982[7]
  •  Nigeria - 136 MBT Mk 3, 12 ARV and 26 AVLB delivered in 1983–1995[7]
  •  Tanzania - 4 ARV delivered in 1989[7]

Former operators

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  •  India - 90 Vickers Mk. 1 built by Vickers and shipped to India in 1965 where it carried the designation Vijayanta (phased out in 2008).
  •  Kuwait - 70 Vickers Mk. 1 delivered in 1970–1972, probably no longer operational[7]
  •  Iraq - limited usage of captured Kuwaiti Mk. 1s, all scrapped or destroyed.[10]
  • Boko Haram - few Nigerian Mk. 3 were captured, later they were knocked out or recaptured by Nigerian Army.[11][12][13]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vickers MBT.

References

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  1. ^ Ogorkiewicz, R M (1973). Vickers Battle Tank, Profile Publications, August 1973.
  2. ^ a b c d Gelbart, Marsh (1996). Tanks main battle and light tanks. Brassey’s UK Ltd. p. 108. ISBN 1-85753-168-X.
  3. ^ a b c Foss, Christopher F.; McKenzie, Peter (1988). The Vickers Tanks: From Landship to Challenger. Patrick Stephens Limited. p. 256. ISBN 9781852601416.
  4. ^ Lüdeke, Alexander (2018). International Tank Developments from 1970. Pen and Sword Military. p. 128. ISBN 978-1473891418.
  5. ^ Ogorkiewicz, R. M. (September 1973). AFV Weapons Profile. Duncan Crow. p. 21.
  6. ^ International Defence Equipment Catalogue 1988–1989 Volume II
  7. ^ a b c d e Jane's Armour and Artillery 2003–2004
  8. ^ Tanks of the World (1990) ISBN 3-7637-5871-2
  9. ^ Jane's Armour and Artillery 1993–1994
  10. ^ "Former Equipment of Iraqi Army". Archive.org. p. [page needed]. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  11. ^ "SPECIAL REPORT: Inside Boko Haram's routes of death, destruction and humanitarian crises". premiumtimesng.com. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Nigerian troops destroy Boko Haram tactical ground, recover battle tank, others". premiumtimesng.com. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Troops Recover Battle Tanks From Boko Haram". channelstv.com. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2022.

Sources

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  • Orgorkiewcz, R M, No. 45 Vickers Battle Tank, AFV Profile, Profile Publishing
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