Al - Haider VT-4 MBT - The Premier PA Ground Asset [Developments]

[Hussain]

A newly manufactured VT-4 tank is undergoing road testing.
View attachment 219109

on a public road?

 

[Signalian]

Hi, I do not have access to the full article. However, the key point is how drones have currently negated and/or severely curtailed the traditional role of tanks in warfare.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/world/europe/ukraine-russia-tanks.html

Have you seen the deployment of tanks in Ukraine-Russia war ?

I have hardly seen MBTs with AD assets or mechansied infantry which dis mounts and hunts enemy ATGM teams or protects the territory and MBTs from drone strikes.

What you will see are 3-4 MBTs with or without AD and enough infantry for support to conduct an operation. What can a Tank troop (3-4 MBTs) achieve anyway ? It has to be supported by at least 100-150 company strength troops or even a full battalion (500+ troops) for any meaningful operations resulting in gain of territory. The 125mm gun of the MBT and the 25mm/30mm guns of an IFV or 12.7/14.5mm guns of APCs provide consistent firing on the move. While the SP artillery or MLRS keeps pounding enemy positions to support friendly forces reach an objective. Along with that, a dedicated air defence contingent of with AAA guns or counter-drone wepaon system move with the MBTs.

Have you seen this complete setup for an offensive in any videos of Ukraine-Russia war ?

 

[Signalian]

Seems like we have moved away from the NATO styled 4 tank troop to the Soviet 3 tank trp system.
Our Sabre Sqns are organised as follows:
4× tank trps ( 3 tks each)
Sqn Hq (2tks)

So instead of seeing individual trp actions we are focusing on sqn lvl actions with one trp providing overwatch/fire base while other forms the manoeuvre unit instead of the previous 2+2.

Pros:
- this would create local superiority (6 vs 4 tks).
- easy control reduced cmd burden
- More plots for same number of tks
- centralised control (actually a drawback in modern combat)

Cons:
- reduced redundancy ( one tk loss reduces cmbt effectiveness by 33%, 4 tk trp retains 75)
- reduced tactical flexibility( 2+1 would lve either fire base or manoeuvre unit weak)
- more dependence on coy cmd, reducing initiative
- reduced firepower of single trp

So while during large scale offensive ops 3 tk trp might be be useful it will compromise indp action, infantry support and force cmdrs to carry out company lvl manoeuvres.

Also one thing to note is that in the Russio-Ukraine conflict this 3 tk plt has been a major drawback with Ukr hitting the cmd tank leading to paralysis of the remaining two and loss of tempo(this however might be offset as our NCO corps is far better trained than theirs).


So we're trading trp robustness and lower level initiative to increase the efficiency of larger formations?

What you should consider is following:

1 x MBT squadron (15 x MBTs)
1 x Mech infantry Battalion (800+ Troops and 50 x M-113 APCs. This formation uses smaller drones. It has ATGM capability)
1 x AD Battery (AAA Guns and SAMS on 6-8 x M-113. Also counter-drone equipped)
1 x Artillery battery support (6 x M-109A2, moving at rear, distance of 20km+ from front)
1 x EW+comms support platoon (all radio eqpt and COWs-computer on wheels)
1 x Sapper Company (de-mining, bridging, and Counter-IEDs)
1 x EME platoon (field repairs, has ARVs and other heavy equipment , sits at the rear of the echelon)

This makes an effective offensive TF for advancing and holding territory. MBTs will not only survive but prove effective in combat.

 

[Signalian]

Germans also tried it and had the same issues. Unwieldy and too heavy.

Do you know below is the fate of all Pakistani MBTs and crew when a SABOT round pierces into the MBT, be it VT4, AK, T-80 or Type-85. Or a drone strikes it from top.

This is the concerning point



Reason:

Pakistan Army MBTs use an automatic loading system that places a circular carousel of up to 30-40 propellant charges and shells directly in the floor of the fighting compartment right under the turret. If enemy MBT fire punches through the armor, it can hit this naked or semi-exposed ammunition, causing a massive, instant chain reaction. The blast has nowhere to go except straight up through the weakest point, the turret ring, blasting the turret hundreds of feet into the air