Would you like the MMT-40 to be added to the game?
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How should it be added?
- Tech Tree
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Who should receive it?
- China
- Future ASEAN (Southeast Asia) Tech Tree
- USSR
- Other (comment)
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What BR should it have?
- 8.0
- 8.3
- 8.7
- 9.0
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MMT-40: Myanmar's First "Domestic" Tank
History:
In recent years, Myanmar has bore witness to a surge in military activity. For decades there has been civil unrest in Myanmar due to ethnic tensions, but it has flared up significantly in the past few years. As such, Myanmar has been constantly searching for ways to strengthen their military in order to keep the peace. One product of this increase in military spending is the MMT-40, a brand new light tank and the first domestic vehicle produced in Myanmar. The first reveal of a prototype was the photograph shown above, initially posted on the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) Facebook page in 2019. No further information or images were revealed until the 77th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Myanmar parade on March 27, 2022. This was the first time the vehicle was seen in its completed state, and also the first time it had been seen in number. The new vehicle, dubbed the MMT-40, will be filling a role between the heavier MBTs and light armored cars in the Tatmadaw's arsenal. The logic behind its development is based on the terrain of Myanmar. Approximately 75% of the country is either mountainous or covered in thick forest, both of which are difficult for large MBTs and wheeled vehicles to traverse. Thus, the development of a well-armed but still agile light tank makes sense, particularly with the low-intensity civil conflicts taking place across the nation. It is not known exactly how many have entered or will be entering service, but it is clear that the MMT-40 is here to stay. The vehicle was developed with assistance from Ukraine's two major arms export companies: Ukrspecexport and Ukroboronprom. Further joint ventures are expected, such as modernization of the remaining 2S1 SPGs and purchase of new BTR-3s.Description:
The MMT-40 is, despite being developed in Myanmar, not entirely domestic. It actually consists of the turret of the WMA301 6x6 fire support vehicle from China mated to the chassis of the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer from Russia. Both are vehicles used by the Tatmadaw in large numbers, so the development and construction was simple. The armament is identical to that of the WMA301: a Chinese copy of the 105mm L7 cannon, a 7.62mm Type 86 light machine gun mounted coaxially, and a 12.7mm QJC-88A heavy machine gun mounted on the roof. It can fire all NATO-standard 105mm ammunition as well as Chinese 105mm munitions such as the GP105 GL-ATGM. This is mounted to the chassis of the 2S1 Gvozdika, itself based on the MT-LBu. The vehicle is powered by a YaMZ-238N V8 diesel engine producing 300HP. The vehicle has a crew of 3, with a driver, a gunner, and a commander. It maintains the amphibious capabilities of the 2S1, along with the NBC protection and night vision for the driver, but also adds all the new fire control from the WMA301 turret, such as thermal sights, a laser rangefinder, and smoke grenades. It is capable of reaching speeds of around 62 km/h (38 mph) on road and 6 km/h (4 mph) in water. As for armor, it is quite thin, though its role as a light tank fits this. The hull of the 2S1 has a maximum of 20mm of steel, while the turret face goes up to 30mm. As such it is mostly protected from small arms fire and shell fragments, possibly HMG and light autocannon fire from the front, but anything larger than 20mm will eat right through it.Specifications:
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Main Armament: 105mm WMA301-type gun
Secondary Armament: 1x 12.7mm QJC-88A HMG (roof), 1x 7.62mm Type 86 LMG (coaxial)
Armor: 30mm (turret front), 20mm (turret sides, hull front, LFP), 15mm (turret rear), 10mm (turret roof), 7mm (hull sides, hull roof, UFP)
Ammo Count: Exact values unknown, likely similar to WMA301: 30 105mm rounds, 600 12.7mm rounds, 1000 7.62mm rounds
Engine: YaMZ-238N V8 diesel, 300HP
Transmission: Manual, 5 forward gears, 1 reverse
Speed: 62 km/h (38 mph) on road, 6 km/h (4 mph) in water
Crew: 3 (Driver, Gunner, Commander)
Gallery:
Spoiler
If there is anything I have missed or gotten incorrect, please let me know! I hope you enjoyed reading this, and I hope you will also check out my other suggestions! Thanks, and have a great day.
Sources:
Spoiler
https://inf.news/en/military/effb6925d408f7327e15827130ff8b63.html
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/myanmar/ma-mmt-40.htm
https://military-wiki.com/mmt-40-105mm-myanmars-amazing-domestic-light-tank/
https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2021/07/04/myanmar-army-developed-105mm-light-tank/
