Vickers Mk.3

Main battle tank

Vickers Mk.3 MBT

The Vickers Mk.3 main battle tank was designed specially for export customers

Entered service1977
Crew4 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight39.5 t
Length (gun forward)9.79 m
Hull length7.56 m
Width3.17 m
Height2.48 m
Armament
Main gun105-mm rifled
Machine guns2 x 7.62-mm, 1 x 12.7-mm
Elevation range- 10 to + 20 degrees
Traverse range360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun50 rounds
Machine guns2 600 x 7.62, 700 x 12.7
Mobility
EngineDetroit Diesel 12V-71T diesel
Engine power720 hp
Maximum road speed60 km/h
Range490 km
Maneuverability
Gradient60%
Side slope30%
Vertical step0.83 m
Trench3 m
Fording1.1 m

 

   The Vickers Mk.3 main battle tank is a further development of the Vickers Mk.1 MBT. It was developed as a private venture. This MBT was revealed in the mid 1970s and was aimed at the export customers. Export operators are Nigeria (70 MBTs) and Kenya (about 80). Deliveries of this tank were completed in 1995.

   Layout of the Vickers Mk.3 tank is similar to the Mk.1, but it has a new turret, offering better protection. Vehicle lacks Chobham armor.

   Vickers Mk3 is armed with British L7A1 fully-stabilized 105-mm rifled gun. This gun fires a full range of NATO ammunition. The same gun was used on the Vickers Mk.1, however the Mk.3 has a new fire control system.

   Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, ranging 12.7-mm machine gun and anti-aircraft 7.62-m machine gun.

   Vehicle is powered by Detroit Diesel 12V-71T turbocharged diesel engine, developing 720 horsepower. Chassis of the Vickers Mk.3 is similar to that of the Mk.1.

 

Variants

 

   Vickers Mk.3(1) MBT, with explosive reactive armor, improved fire control system and British Condor CV 12 TCE engine. It is also referred as the Vickers Mk.3M. This tank was revealed in 1986. It was proposed to Malaisya, however there were no production orders;

   Armored recovery vehicle;

   Armored bridgelayer;

   Anti-aircraft vehicle.