The Vickers MBT was a series of main battle tanks (MBTs) developed as a private venture by Vickers-Armstrongs for export. The design makes use of proven components such as the L7 gun of the Centurion, and the Leyland L60 multi-fuel engine, transmission and fire control system of the Chieftain. A large number of tanks was also build by India under licence.
The Vickers MBT Mk 1 was designed to be a simple, low cost, but effective tank. The first prototype was completed in 1963. It weighed 38,600 kg, carried a 105mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48 km/h. 70 tanks were sold to Kuwait and a large number of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called Vijayanta.
The prototype of the Vickers MBT Mk 3 was completed in 1975 and the tank was designed to meet the same requirements as the Mk 1 while offering better performance. Improvements over the Mk 1 include better armour, a new diesel engine Detroit Diesel 12V-71T and a more modern fire control system EFCS 600 from Marconi with a Pilkington PE Condor commander's dag/night sight, NANOQUEST L23 gunner's sight and Simrad LV352 laser rangefinder. Production started in 1978 and a number of tanks were sold to Kenya and Nigeria. The tank is armed with the same 105mm main gun L7A1 with 50 APFSDS, APDS, HEAT, HESH, HE, Smoke and Canister rounds. Sub-variants were the Vickers MBT Mk 3(I) with newly developed power train and suspension system, and the Vickers MBT Mk 3(M). The latter one was developed for Malaysia and had a number of improvements, for example ERA and an enhanced fire control system.
The Vickers Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle is based on the Mk 3 and is equipped with a main winch, pulleys, cables and towbars. Some vehicles have a crane capable of lifting 4,000 kg.
The Vickers Armoured Bridgelayer or Vickers AVLB is also based on the Mk 3 and is equipped with a hydraulically-operated launch and recovery system for an MLC 60/70 scissors bridge with a length of 13.41 m.
The Vickers MBT Mk 1 was designed to be a simple, low cost, but effective tank. The first prototype was completed in 1963. It weighed 38,600 kg, carried a 105mm gun with 44 rounds and had a top speed of 48 km/h. 70 tanks were sold to Kuwait and a large number of a modified version were made in India where the tank was called Vijayanta.
The prototype of the Vickers MBT Mk 3 was completed in 1975 and the tank was designed to meet the same requirements as the Mk 1 while offering better performance. Improvements over the Mk 1 include better armour, a new diesel engine Detroit Diesel 12V-71T and a more modern fire control system EFCS 600 from Marconi with a Pilkington PE Condor commander's dag/night sight, NANOQUEST L23 gunner's sight and Simrad LV352 laser rangefinder. Production started in 1978 and a number of tanks were sold to Kenya and Nigeria. The tank is armed with the same 105mm main gun L7A1 with 50 APFSDS, APDS, HEAT, HESH, HE, Smoke and Canister rounds. Sub-variants were the Vickers MBT Mk 3(I) with newly developed power train and suspension system, and the Vickers MBT Mk 3(M). The latter one was developed for Malaysia and had a number of improvements, for example ERA and an enhanced fire control system.
The Vickers Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle is based on the Mk 3 and is equipped with a main winch, pulleys, cables and towbars. Some vehicles have a crane capable of lifting 4,000 kg.
The Vickers Armoured Bridgelayer or Vickers AVLB is also based on the Mk 3 and is equipped with a hydraulically-operated launch and recovery system for an MLC 60/70 scissors bridge with a length of 13.41 m.
| Vickers MBT Mk 3 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1965–today |
| Used by | Kenya, Kuwait, Nigeria |
| Wars | Iraq-Kuwait War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Vickers Defense Systems |
| Produced | 1963-1994 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 40.0 long tons (44.8 ST; 40.6 t) |
| Length | 9.79 m (32 ft 1 in) - hull |
| Width | 3.17 m (10 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
| | |
| Armour | Glacis: 80 mm Hull sides: 40 mm Turret: n/a |
| Main armament | 1 x 105 mm L7A1 gun (50 rounds) |
| Secondary armament | 1 x 12.7 mm MG (ranging gun) (700 rounds) 1 x 7.62 mm MG (pintle mount) (1300 rounds) 1 x 7.62 mm MG (coax) (1300 rounds) |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel 12V-71T turbo-charged diesel 720 hp |
| Power/weight | 18 bhp/t |
| Transmission | TN12 semi-automatic |
| Suspension | Torsion bar suspension |
| Operational range | 530 km (330 miles) on roads |
| Speed | Road: 50 km/h (31 mph) Off road: 30 km/h (19 mph) |
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