Those OPLOT-M tanks then will have arrived almost on time. I had reported that the Ukraine lost the potential order of selling Thailand the additional tanks they required but, that agreement was made to allow the Ukraine to fulfill it's contract obligation with no penalties for breach of contract. They have Russia to thank for that as the on going dispute in the Eastern Ukraine was considered in the contract reevaluation.
The Ukraine as also reported has "
cranked up production" of the OPLOT-M to meet it's obligation to Thailand as already reported. But as it's starting to turn out and again reported the Ukraine could be the winner in the end.
1) The only major issue Thailand had with the tank was some in the Army didn't like the fact it had an
auto-loader. But as it turns out, Thailand has been very happy with the
OPLOT-M thus far. But they needed more tanks and China won the bid. More on that below. The interesting thing here is there is now some speculation that this will set up an
op-eval situation between the two tanks as Thailand would like to get
200 new ones in the near term future. So with full production going and with streamlined manufacturing processes in place now (Also reported.) they're making them for themselves now as well, estimates vary somewhat, but on average suggest they're up to around
100 OPLOT-M tanks now from only having 10 within just the last 3yrs. or less. It does leave the door opened
a crack (All be it
a very small one.) for them to get back in the "game" in Thailand. Something to watch over the next couple of years.
2. Already reported on the following as well, Ukraine getting the contract to do a major over haul of
Pakistan's ~300
T-84 tanks. The real news was the fact that Pakistan is also very interested in the successor (
T REX concept.) to the
OPLOT-M and yes you guessed it, as already reported in this thread as well. Ukraine has already displayed the concept and should have a prototype within the next couple of years or sooner. It will be interesting in the longer term if Pakistan will help this project along (Not really big fans of Russia.) possibly financially or more. Opportunity Knocks.
3. Nothing solid but, there's still some interest in the OPLOT-M in Asia at least enough to test them. And Africa is speculated to be a viable market as well. I'm watching S. Africa in particular as they've been looking for newer tanks for over a decade now. The delay is a sluggish economy and the realization they won't have the money to get the tank they really wanted, the
LEOPARD.
So what did Thailand decide to do? Well from my files, oldest first I hope...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/janua..._10501162.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2..._12005163.html
https://www.armyrecognition.com/janu..._10301176.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/april..._10504172.html
https://www.armyrecognition.com/octo...ttle_tank.html
https://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/...lls-in/1340231
https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.w...ks-from-china/
The tank...
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/mbt_3000.htm
https://www.armyrecognition.com/chin..._video_uk.html
http://tanknutdave.com/the-chinese-m...n-battle-tank/
http://www.deagel.com/Armored-Vehicl...003040001.aspx
Allowing for inspection and acceptance, op-eval and
some training, I would expect these tanks to reach FOC somewhere between
JAN 2018 - MAY 2018.
Note many of the refs above have already been posted in this thread.
Consider this a compressed version containing the relevant files to date.
Regards,
Pat
