Bionix light tank
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i recently got to talk to a friend of my in armour, and i asked him about the rumour of the new light tank based on the Bionix chassis... I managed to get some info from him...
-When I asked him when it would enter service, he said it was already in service. Furthermore, he says that it is the second tank that Mindef will officially admit... which means we should get to hear about it soon...
-He also confirmed that the main gun is a 120mm. I asked him if the recoil would crack the armour, and he said that it was not such a big problem, since the recoil is quite light.
-In most other respects, it is similiar to the SM1, with a few changes. Heavier armour, more speed, and a faster autoloader. And quite possibly troop carrying capabilities.
-Then I asked him about other tanks, and he says that he has driven four. One is the SM1, and the other three he is not allowed to say, otherwise kena caught by MSD...
-During our conversation, he commented that the Merkava has a poor gas filtration system. When I ask him how he know that, he just winked knowingly. -
Are you saying that the Singapore Army will be operating the Merkeva MBT???
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my friend in the guards anti-tank units say the only thing his AT missile cant go through was the Merkeva3 MBT......when asked how he know he juz said cannot tell.....
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my fren from armour also sing praises about the merkeva. did not ask too much about it then as i was more interested in finding out centurions.
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he did mention recently that when he look at thermal image of bionix, compared to the sm1 which only the engine area is hot. the bionix is hot all over the place.
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if it thermal signature is so big ,then it will be a big and easy target!!
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No big deal, so far no AFV can claim to be invisible to thermal sensors of any sort... It's not really a big disadvantage...
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No big deal, so far no AFV can claim to be invisible to thermal sensors of any sort... It's not really a big disadvantage...
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Which ATGM? Spike? Milan 2? It will be most interesting if Spike cannot penetrate Merkava 3. BTW, which version of Merkava 3 did SAF choose? Mk 3 Baz or the Vanilla version? Why not Mk4 instead?Originally posted by |-|05|:my friend in the guards anti-tank units say the only thing his AT missile cant go through was the Merkeva3 MBT......when asked how he know he juz said cannot tell.....
Merkava Mk3 Baz:
Merkava Mk4:
Check this out -> information about Merkava 4. http://www.defense-update.com/directory/merkava4.htm
Man, I think they are almost as good as the Leopard 2A6. The only area lacking is the max speed. -
it weight nearly 65tons!i doubt our tropical ground can support the weight of this tank?
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Can lah ! I last heard my armour friend claim that Merkeva can beOriginally posted by Pressure-Forward:it weight nearly 65tons!i doubt our tropical ground can support the weight of this tank?
airdropped from C130 -
Singapore does not operate the Merkava or any other MBT!
Remeber, loose lips sink ships! (or tanks) -
I doubt all these talk about how Singapore has all these advanced MBTs. I believe that the a BX light tank variant is being developed and may even be annonced soon but that's just about it.
I take these things with a pinch of salt becos people who are really in the know knows enough to keep their mouth shut.
Typhoon, what gas filtration system? NBC system? Air filter for the engine? I doubt a tank designed for the desert has a poor air filtering system.
cavsg, the thermal image of an object depends on alot of things, not least how long the sun has been shining on the thing. Without knowing the circumstances, your statment can't be evaulated.
Gun, I hope you are joking... -
Depends on the ground footprint pressure of the tank. All things considered, tanks are actually more mobile then any other type of wheeled unit over rough and soft terrain! The only time the actual weight of the tank comes into play is when it has to cross a bridge or any sort of structure that needs to support it's entire weight, the hardness or softness of the ground has little to do with deploying tanks, for tracks are far better then then wheels...Originally posted by Pressure-Forward:it weight nearly 65tons!i doubt our tropical ground can support the weight of this tank?
One reason why we might not operate MBTs is because of our lack of space. Singapore is not exactly tank country and our needs are probably better fed by having lighter AGS like 120mm systems that are more mobile, fuel effection and aviable in larger numbers. -
OMG. . . doesn't sound possible!!! C-130??!! Air-Drop??!! A DAMN large parachute issit? just doesn't sound right!Originally posted by Gun:Can lah ! I last heard my armour friend claim that Merkeva can be
airdropped from C130
anyway, hope they release info abt the tank soon, SAF needs a boost for its image, esp. with the navy accident not very long ago, thats my opinion anyway. . .
I dun think whatever singapore buys has to be air-transportable UNLESS its something like an OFV or something they intend to send for UN peacekeeping ops. Other than that tanks that can be transported in a substantial number through the use of amphibious ships will suffice.
hope whatever tank they bought came along with gun tube fired missles like the LAHAT or something, esp since they are now supposed to be able to perform tank busting as well -
Besides, it's a growing trend to provide more protection to the roof now, given the avent of top attackers...
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aiya... i think he b/s u one lah...Originally posted by Typhoon:-During our conversation, he commented that the Merkava has a poor gas filtration system. When I ask him how he know that, he just winked knowingly.
besides, u know the rule here... if its not in the open domain, it doesn't exist.
the bionix rumour has been floating around for some time... not exactly a "secret" too...
but the merkava? no lah doesn't exist... end of conversation. -
There have been news in the arms transfer market for some time regarding the unaccountable 100 pieces of Merkava 3. It is known that Israel desparately want sell it's current stock of 2nd hand Mk3 to make way for newer Mk4. Any buyers
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my bet will still be a 105mm bionix based light tank. 120mm seems too huge.
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The Israelis lost 2 Merkava IIIs recently in the West Bank/ Gaza strip operations. Seems that they were hit by a command-detonated bomb in an ambush. Of cos', no tanks are invulnerable. The point is, MBTs are vulnerable in a FIBUA situation; and given the terrain
we are operating in, a Bionix light tank variant seems more plausible. Important thing is manoeverability and some decent firepower. Anything better than the SM1s we have now...
As said, a 120 gun is kinda big. Better a 105 main gun. Like the M551 Sheridans...could even launch Shilegh (sp) AT missiles from it... -
sheridens do not use 105mm... they use the 156mm i think...
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I think it is the Sheridan use the 152mm gun. Same as the defunct M60A2.Originally posted by Moonstriker:sheridens do not use 105mm... they use the 156mm i think... -
Are the Sheridan still in service in the US Army?
Back in the first Gulf war they were serving with the US RDF's 82nd Airborne Div and was the first US Tank in Saudi facing down Iraqi T72s
They were tired tanks back in 1990/91. Are they still in service now? -
I agree, getting the latest and greatest MBT in the market will be an overkill.Originally posted by foga:my bet will still be a 105mm bionix based light tank. 120mm seems too huge.
We are going to be operating in either highly forrested or highly built up terrain not in the desert or in Central Europe.
A bionix based light tank with a 105mm gun will suffice.
And if we are getting Merkevas, those earlier models, where are the Mark Is and Mark IIs (with upgrading and refurbishment) will be ideal. -
105mm rounds might not penetrate PT-91 armour. The 120mm armour piercing rounds are more likely to penetrate most known MBTs. As for against soft targets, even the 75mm rounds used by the SM1 are sufficient.Originally posted by Tango1:The Israelis lost 2 Merkava IIIs recently in the West Bank/ Gaza strip operations. Seems that they were hit by a command-detonated bomb in an ambush. Of cos', no tanks are invulnerable. The point is, MBTs are vulnerable in a FIBUA situation; and given the terrain we are operating in, a Bionix light tank variant seems more plausible. Important thing is manoeverability and some decent firepower. Anything better than the SM1s we have now...
As said, a 120 gun is kinda big. Better a 105 main gun. Like the M551 Sheridans...could even launch Shilegh (sp) AT missiles from it...
Why is there such a big misconception that MBTs are not suitable for FIBUA or any urban scenarios? In fact, MBTs are great roadblocks and provide good protection for dismounted armoured infantry or foot soldiers. Had the US deployed MBTs in Somalia, we wouldn't have seen such tragic "Black Hawk down" scenarios.
The Israeli also successfully used their MBTs in the 1980 invasion of Lebanon. The PLO, which only have armed soliders and light vehicles were no match for the Israeli armoured forces. The Israeli also ended up doing tank vs tank fighting against Syrian tanks in Beruit and other Lebanese towns.
Another reference, watch the mini series, Band of Brothers. You will know the value of tanks in build up areas.