The Vietnamese Ministry of Defence has begun work on a new light tank under the T-1 codename. The Soviet amphibious PT-76, whose production was completed back in 1967, will serve as the basis for the combat vehicle.
The Vietnamese vehicle will also be amphibious. The key difference is that the 76 mm gun will receive a modern autoloader for 15 rounds and a panoramic sight.
A remotely operated 12.7 mm machine gun, IR irradiation sensors, and smoke grenade launchers will appear on the turret. At the same time, the vehicle's hull has become larger, and the number of road wheels has increased to seven (instead of six on the PT-76).
In addition, the T-1 has become heavier compared with its predecessor, reaching 18.6 tonnes. It has been fitted with a 470 hp engine instead of the PT-76's 240 hp.
According to information from open sources, as recently as the mid-2010s Vietnam had about 300 PT-76 units. How many of them now remain in combat-ready condition is unknown.
Earlier, the Serbian Army seriously modernized the Soviet T-72M1 tank and turned it into a new M-84 version with advanced electronics and side protection.
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