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T-54M: A Living Legacy 
The T-54M on display.
- Basic Description :
- The T-54M is a modernized T-54 main battle tank that is entering service with the People’s Army of Vietnam. The T-54M or T-54B cải tiến is an modernization program that is a continuation of the original T-54M3 modernization program that occurred in cooperation with Israel’s Elbit Systems back in the 1990’s. The original T-54M3 featured several enhancements of the T-54, including new powerpack, Super Blazer ERA, new L7A1 105mm main gun, fire control system, and more. However due to rising costs, the program was axed with a self-developed program initiated. This program took place in the Z153 Factory and is based off of the T-54M3 program. The new T-54M removes the smoke discharger, 60mm mortar, and replaces the Super Blazer ERA with a indigenously developed 2nd-generation ERA that is capable of stopping around 500mm of penetration from HEAT-shaped charges. The L7A1 105mm gun was scrapped and the original D-10T2S 100mm gun was retained due to the large stock of Soviet-era munitions. A thermal sleeve was added to increase barrel longevity. These indigenous upgrades significantly decreased the weight of the upgrade package to around 1 ton. The tank is equipped with a Spanish TIFC-3BU fire control system developed by Indra that includes a variety of new optics and sensors including a fully stabilized Gunner’s Thermal Imager, Laser Rangefinder, digital fire control/ballistics computer, atmospheric/attitude sensors, tilt sensors, and more. Other upgrades include new communications equipment developed by Viettel as well as a new powerpack/transmission. Not much is known of the powerpack. Successful testing occurred with the T-54M showing capabilities of firing on the move or operating at night. The T-54M entered production/modernization with around 5x in service with the Vietnamese Army. A total of 310 have been ordered.
- “Special thanks to @Bigboi_SaiGon for his assistance in making this suggestion! Please credit him as well”.
- Specifications:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin:
- Vietnam
- Armament:
- Primary: 100mm D-10T2S Rifled Gun
- Caliber: 100 x 695mmR
- Ammunition:
- 3BM25 APFSDS-T
- 3BM8 APDS
- BR412D APHEBC
- 3BK17M HEAT-FS
- OF-412G HE-FRAG
- 3D3 Smoke
- Coaxial: PKT 7.62mm Machine Gun
- Roof-mounted: DShKM 12.7mm Machine Gun
- Primary: 100mm D-10T2S Rifled Gun
- Dimensions:
- Length: 9.00m
- Width: 3.37m
- Height: 2.40m
- Weight: ~40t
- Mobility :
- Engine: Unknown, possible 1,000hp MTU 881 Diesel Engine
- Max Speed: 50km/h
- Transmission: Unknown, Ukrainian in origin.
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Crew:
- Commander
- Gunner
- Loader
- Driver
- Features:
- TSGS-54BU Integrated Laser Rangefinder
- ESS
- Armor:
- Indigenous 2nd-generation ERA which is capable of stopping 9M14 Malyutka ATGM’s or around 500mm of penetration.
- B41/RPG-7 Cage Armor on rear of turret.
- Anti-RADAR coating.
- Optics:
- Gunner: TSGS-54BU w/ Thermal Viewer
- Commander: Passive IR
- Capable of controlling Gunner’s Station.
- Driver: Passive IR
- In-game :
- Breathing new life into the old T-54, the T-54M carries several new capabilities that enhance its overall firepower, mainly the new fire control system and laser rangefinder. The T-54M is capable of firing all the munitions of the T-54-series MBT, and the capability to fight at range and at night. The T-54M features a stabilized main gun and the capability of the Commander of assuming Gunnery duties in the event of system error or Gunner incapacitation. The T-54M however lacks smoke grenades and must rely on its Smoke rounds and ESS capabilities in order to conceal itself.
- Estimated Battle Rating: 8.7.
- Sources:
- T-54M3 and T-55M3 - Tank Encyclopedia
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2021_global_security_army_industry/vietnamese_army_t-54m_mbts_still_ready_to_serve.html
- Grandad’s Still Got It! Vietnam's Newly Updated T-54Ms - Weapons - Military Matters
- https://nhandan.vn/hien-dai-hoa-he-thong-thong-tin-lien-lac-tren-xe-tang-post190892.html
- https://baonghean.vn/viet-nam-trien-lam-vu-khi-hien-dai-san-xuat-trong-nuoc-post199009.html
- https://kienthuc.net.vn/quan-su/xe-tang-t-54m-viet-nam-co-he-thong-dieu-khien-hoa-luc-sanh-ngang-t-90s-1271272.html
- https://kienthuc.net.vn/quan-su/sieu-tang-t-54m-vua-xuat-hien-o-ha-noi-duoc-hien-dai-hoa-den-muc-nao-1321229.html
- You are being redirected...
- https://www.indracompany.com/sites/default/files/indra_v_terrestre_tanks_t_family_tifcs_eng_v01_baja_1_0.pdf
- https://www.indracompany.com/sites/default/files/indra_t_family_tifcs-3b_fire_control_system_en_2020_0.pdf
Imagery:
Spoiler
Views of the T-54M.
From right to left, T-90SK, T-90S, T-54M3, T-54M, T-55M and PT-76, all used by the Vietnamese Army.
Artists illustration of the T-54M.
Gunner’s Station of the T-54M.
The Indra FCS.
FCS capabilities.
Self-developed ERA used on the T-54M.
Munitions from Elbit Systems.
