Tungsten Armor-piercing Ammunition Developed in Vietnam

Tungsten armor-piercing ammunition has been developed successfully in Vietnam according to the report from the Vietnam Army Defense Channel on May 17th. After a series of live test, US M548 crawler-type chassis are modified to 37mm, 76mm, 85mm and 105mm self-propelled guns respectively in the rifle ground of the 9th Military Region in Anjiang Province, western Vietnam.

According to Vietnam media, the self-propelled artillery has been tested of firing at the targets of 500 meters, 600 meters, 800 meters and 900 meters, and the test results showed that they are all at a good operability and stability, and the shooting results basically met the technical requirements.

The report pointed out that in recent years, the 9th Military Region of the Vietnam Army has launched a series of innovative weapons and improved projects. From 2017 till now, they have tested 33 types of guns, 17 types of wheeled or crawler-type chassis. Vietnam media also said that after integrating the 76mm and 85mm M548 chassis with the anti-tank guns, it not only significantly enhanced the maneuverability of the two main anti-tank firearms, but also reduced the number of guns required (can be reduced from 8 to 3 or 4), the artillery deployment and firing time are also shortened.

Russian Satellite Network reported on May 17th that, an official from Indian Defense Ministry announced that India will officially export the "Brahmos" cruise missile jointly developed by Russia and India, and he said that "some southeast Asian customers are preparing to purchase this type of missile. It is possible for this customer to sign our first export order." Russian media analysis that the "Southeast Asian customers" that the Indian side said should be Vietnam. According to a foreign media report on May 26th, once the "Brahmos" supersonic missile be installed, it will not only allow the Vietnamese navy to have more choices in coastal defense, but will also help "Brahmos" to achieve high-tech and diversity offensive weapons.

Bya report on the Soha News Website in Vietnam on May 29th, the Vietnam General Administration of Defense Industry (CNQP) and the Institute of Materials Science branch of the Science and Technology Research Institute of Vietnam have successfully developed 85 mm tungsten armor-piercing ammunition. According to Vietnam media, the Vietnam Military Industry Department will continue to develop 100mm new armor-piercing ammunition for use in the country's active T-54/55 main battle tanks, and even to realize the localization of 125mm shells used in the newly introduced Russian T-90S tanks. 

Soha News website reported on May 31th, the British "Jane's Defense Weekly" released a message recently that, the Indian Air Force intends to equip its installed Su-30MKI fighter with the Israeli-made I-Derby ER "Derby" extended range type air-to-air missiles. The missile has a range of up to 100 kilometers and has a strong target tracking and anti-interference ability. It claims to be able to deal with all kinds of aircraft from fighters, helicopters and cruise missiles under all weather conditions.

According to Vietnam media, the practice of Indian counterparts is worthy of emulation by Vietnam. So, with the help of Israel, the "Derby" extended-range missiles are also introduced and integrated into the existing airborne arsenal of the Vietnamese Air Force Su-30MK2.

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