Those watching last night's (6/26/19) newscast from Vietnamese National Defense Television (QPVN) were treated to a special sight - the T-54M3 in action as it conducted maneuvers and weapons firing demonstrations.
After years of nothing but images from inside the factory the project was being worked on, changes to the tank due to project cancellations, and funding issues, Vietnam's new T-54M3 was finally seen in action as it was being used to train Vietnamese armored crews in preparation for the ARMY games Russia is hosting this year.
This is the first time that the Vietnamese public has seen the T-54M3 in action aside from an old QPVN clip regarding the original tank prototype and photos from within the factory where the tanks are being created at.
The T-54M3 is Vietnam's modernization of the T-54/55 tanks that have long been the workhorses of the People's Army of Vietnam.
Clearly shown upgrades are the addition of composite armor and explosive reactive armor lining around the original T-54/55 turret and the front.There are no detailed technical specifications though it is known that various internal systems have also been upgraded by the Viettel Military Industry and Telecommunications Group.
Visible above the main gun at the top of the turret are meteorological sensors and a telescope sight with possible IR channel. The original 100mm gun was kept - the M68 105mm cannon on the original T-54M3 prototype was never mass manufactured due to expenses.
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