Thai tank crews report repeated mechanical and system failures on the VT-4 during operational use, while older platforms such as the M60 Patton and T-84BM Oplot-T are viewed as more reliable.
The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that a VT-4 tank was damaged after sustained live firing, with the cause under technical investigation.
Thai tank crews operating the VT-4 main battle tank have raised sharp criticism over the platform’s reliability during real-world operations, citing repeated mechanical failures and design shortcomings encountered during active use, according to multiple accounts from serving personnel.
Soldiers and officers familiar with the tank’s operation report that the VT-4 has suffered from frequent malfunctions during both training and operational deployments. These complaints focus on failures observed under sustained use rather than isolated incidents, with crews describing problems that directly affected operational readiness.
Among the most serious concerns raised by operators is the performance of the main gun during prolonged firing. Tank crews report that barrel durability becomes an issue after extensive live-fire use in the field, particularly when the number of rounds fired exceeds what they describe as safe operational limits during ongoing missions. Electronic systems and the engine have also been described as prone to malfunction, with crews reporting intermittent failures that complicate field operations.
Additional criticism centers on protection and mobility characteristics. Operators have described the side armor as insufficient compared with expectations for a modern main battle tank, while turret traverse speed has been assessed by crews as slower than required during dynamic engagements. These assessments come from personnel who have used the tanks under operational conditions rather than controlled trials.
Despite these issues, crews acknowledge several strengths of the VT-4, including modern fire-control systems, hunter-killer targeting capability. However, operators stress that these advantages do not offset what they describe as persistent reliability problems during sustained use.
In contrast, older tanks still in Thai service are widely regarded by crews as more dependable. Personnel operating legacy platforms report that the Ukrainian-built T-84BM Oplot-T, as well as U.S.-origin M48A5PI and M60A3 TIFCS Patton tanks, have demonstrated consistent performance under both combat and non-combat conditions. Several crews describe the M60 Patton series as mechanically stable despite its age, with fewer unexpected failures during extended operations.
Based on field experience, some officers have informally recommended relying more heavily on units equipped with Patton and Oplot tanks for demanding tasks, citing predictable performance and easier maintenance. These views reflect operational feedback rather than formal procurement or doctrinal decisions.
Ukrainian-made Oplot-T tank.
Only after these internal criticisms circulated did the issue receive official confirmation. The Royal Thai Army has since acknowledged that a VT-4 tank suffered serious damage during operations following sustained live firing.
Col. Richa Suksuwanont, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, confirmed that the incident occurred and that the tank was damaged after repeated firing of its main gun.
“Regarding the case of a Thai VT-4 tank experiencing an accident in which firing caused the gun barrel to burst, it did occur,” Col. Richa said. “The tank has damage. As for the cause, it cannot yet be specified and is currently under technical examination.”
Army officials said the cause of the damage has not yet been determined and remains under technical investigation. The Army has not reported any injuries connected to the incident and has not announced changes to VT-4 deployment or usage pending the outcome of the examination.
The VT-4 is produced by China’s state-owned defense manufacturer NORINCO and represents Thailand’s most modern armored fighting vehicle in frontline service. The tank was acquired to replace aging platforms and to provide advanced digital fire-control and battlefield management capabilities.
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