T-54M3 (Prototype) - Better than production

Would you like to see this in-game?
  • Yes, as a tech tree vehicle.
  • Yes, as an event vehicle.
  • Yes, as a squadron vehicle.
  • Yes, as a premium vehicle.
  • No
0 voters
Where should this be in?
  • China.
  • Soviet.
  • Israel.
  • Japan (ASEAN Subtree).
  • I said no.
0 voters
What BR should this be in?
  • 9.3
  • 9.7
  • 10.0
  • 10.3
  • 10.7
  • 11.0
  • I said no.
0 voters

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T-54M3

This is a suggestion for the T-54M3 prototype upgrade by Elbit System to the PAVN fleet of T-54/55.
History:

Spoiler

In late 1990s, Vietnam sought to upgrade their fleet of approximately 850 outdated T-54, T-55, and Type 59 tanks. They turned to Israel for assistance, and at an unspecified date and location in Israel, Vietnamese representatives were presented with an example of the Tiran-5Sh.The Vietnamese were impressed and express interested in asking Israel for an upgraded prototype T-54. Unfortunately, delay and push back from the PAVN slowed the request.

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In 2009, Vietnam requested a prototype upgrade for the T-54/55 from Elbit Systems, based on their previous work on the Slovenian M-55S1 and help from Nimda. The new prototype from Elbit, distinguished by the serial no.153, featured various modifications and a new three-tone camouflage scheme that was never used by the IDF or the PAVN.

Elbit replaced the 100mm D-10T2S cannon with a 105mm cannon of unknown origin, which could be the L7, M68, or IMI M64 L71A, and equipped it with a thermal sleeve. This 105mm cannon could fire any NATO ammunition, but it is unknown which rounds the PAVN would use, as they opted to retain the original 100mm cannon in the production variant. It is possible that Israel have imported some M428 for testing. The tank was also equipped with a new Indra Sistemas TIFCS-3BU FCS with a two-plane stabilizer, TSGS-54BU laser rangefinder, 3rd Gen thermal camera, NVD with cooled 3-5 µm or uncooled 8-12 µm range. The commander could also see the gunner’s sight, aim, and shoot. The servo system was upgraded for faster traverse.

The PKT machine gun was retained, while the DShK was replaced by an NSV. A 60mm mortar was mounted to the left, capable of firing flares, smoke, and anti-infantry fragmentation shells. A MAWS6056B meteorological sensor was mounted on the roof to measure wind speed, direction, ambient temperature, and atmospheric pressure, which could be lowered or raised and transmitted to other vehicles. The old radio system was replaced with a new RF2050 radio system.

The vehicle also featured two IMI CL-3030 IS-6 smoke launcher systems mounted on the rear side of the turret, with 12 smoke grenades (six per side) connected to a LWR that would automatically launch a smokescreen. It was also able to use ESS.

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The front hull was to mount Super Blazer ERA similar to the M55S and turret were fitted with unknow ERA (could be SLERA) capable of stopping 9K111 Fagot or 9M113 Konkurs missiles. Slat armor was fitted to the back, with Venus Hair Ferns on the lower side. Composite skirts were mounted on the sides of the hull, and the surface was covered with anti-reflection coating and low IR paint.

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Front hull with standoff for Super Blazer ERA.

With all the upgrades, the vehicle is now estimated to weigh around 40 tons. Consequently, the engine was switched to a new 1000 hp model of unknown German origin, possibly the MTU MT 881, 1000 hp @ 2700 rpm. The gearbox and transmission are of Ukrainian origin, though their specific models are unknown. The driver got a driving computer to calculate tilt and speed, as well as a new hydraulic power steering system.


T-54M3 during testing.

The T-54M3 was successfully tested in 2011. However, with an estimated cost of $3-4 million per unit, it was only slightly cheaper than a T-90S or T-90SK. As a result, the production variant was simplified which you can read about here: T-54M or T-54B Cải Tiến. A total of 3 prototype were built with 1 by Elbit System and 2 by factory Z153.

Specifications:

Spoiler

Dimensions (L/W/H): 9.00 x 3.37 x 2.40 m
Weight: ~41 tons
Crew: 4 (driver, commander, gunner and loader)
Speed: ~55 km/h
Engine: N/A 1,000hp German engine, possible MTU 881 1000 hp @ 2700 rpm
Transmission: N/A Ukraine origin
Suspension: Torsion Bar

Armament:

Spoiler

1x 105mm of unknown origin (N/A ammo but the PAVN would likely purchase ammunition from Israel, potentially gaining access to the M428 SWORD.) (Capacity: 34, based on the Tiran-4S)
1x 7.62mm PKT
1x 12.7mm NSV
2x CL-3030 IS-6 (12 smoke grenade, fire a pair of of grenade per shot, up to 6 shot).
1x 60 mm Soltam Mortar.

In game:
This would be at least br 10.3-10.7 due to it having 3rd gen thermal, decentish armor and access to modern apfsds like Israel M428 SWORD or M426, 9.3-9.7 if it only get M413.

Photo:

Spoiler

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Possible Elbit Prototype? At factory Z153.

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Look like the same tank but with different marking, one with T-54M3 and one with T-55M3. Idk what is going on here, can someone clarify?
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Note: seems like the one with lettering on the front hull: T-54M3 and T-55M3 are from Z153 and the one without are the Elbit System prototype? Need someone to clarify this to me.

Source:

Spoiler

T-54M3 and T-55M3 - Tank Encyclopedia
Military meteorological sensor MAWS6056B – Irdam
Twitter - Lee Ann Quann
armyrecognition.com
DEFENSE STUDIES: Vietnam will Upgrade 310 T-54 Tanks
Army Guide
Indra TIFCS-3B FCS
Tăng T-55 Việt Nam trang bị giáp phản ứng nổ của Israel
Facebook - Tổng hợp những hình ảnh của xe tăng T-55M3

6 Likes

+1, definitely belongs in the game along with its other production variant. IMO IT easily belongs in the Israeli tree, given Vietnam didn’t accept it into service. However there is indeed an argument to be made about it going to the Chinese tree, however Israel still has zero ground forces event vehicles, so this would make a great fit as its first.

Fingers crossed it gets M428 Sword APFS-DS, which has been lacking from the game for quite some time. The Magach 7C really needs that round as well, and there’s also an argument to be made about adding it to the Merkava Mk.2D.

10.0-10.3 would be a more than fair BR if it does indeed receive the Sword APFSDS round, but if it only gets M426 then it’ll likely belong at 9.3-9.7. It gets amazing optics and thermal resolution, along with an actual reverse gear, a better gun, SLERA armor, and a better engine. Definitely a great vehicle that will be fun to play no matter the BR anyway, given all the bells and whistles it’ll come with.

5 Likes

This is a perfect vehicle for Israel. +1

4 Likes

9.3 would be better even having 3rd Gen Thermal imagers, this actually doesn’t affect the vehicle BR since Wiesel 1A4 has good quality, at least 2nd Gen Thermal imagers on 7.3 while Wiesel 1A2 has worse quality imagers in 9.7,

By the way, it doesn’t seems to fit on 10.3 even having a better engine, again 9.3 would be better with the current compression. Maybe 9.0 but it’s mid term between the chassis and the capabilities.

Pretty cool vehicle. I say give it to Japan under the ASEAN subtree, would be good to make it interesting to new players.

APFSDS and 3rd Gen thermals is a big plus

+1 as an Israeli event vehicle.

2 Likes

Honestly i think it should be at 9.7 just due to it having 3rd gen thermal and are basically a slower but more armored Tam 2C but 9.3 is kinda warrant too since armor doesn’t really matter when u have a massive weakspot in the gun breech area and still probly dog water of a reverse speed since we don’t exactly know what transmission it used.

Well i mean the 1A4 is basically a recon tank with a gun strap on top of it so the thermal is pretty essential to it play style. The 1A2 is a rat with TOW launcher so it just doesn’t make sense to compare them that way.
But yea it should only be 10+ br if it get M428.

My guy. It ain’t a Tam 2C. If it gets M248, then it basically gets M900. If it gets an accurate armor profile, its turret cheeks gonna be THIC. It’s SLERA man, gonna wreck chemical threats and mess up most kinetic ones.
If anything it’s going be a more potent T-72 Moderna, with a better round/reload, reverse, armor, and thermals. Ofc if it gets the worse round, that changes some things… but yes the breech is a weak spot, as it tends to be on literally every MBT ingame, like literally everyone. The object 292 has the best breech armor ingame, which says a lot. Doesn’t change too much when the LFP still exists as well haha

Also the reverse speed is much better. It uses a Ukrainian transmission, I’ll see if I can’t find some sources but I swear I saw the almighty @ofekk213 say it had one in his Israeli tree with the description for this beast lol. Either way, a 2009 tank using a Ukrainian transmission is bound to have a actual reverse gear, as Ukraine was smart enough to put more than one reverse gear on their tanks lmao.

1 Like

Why do people even vote for this being added to japan
we already have phong kong t-34 in china
literally there is no arguement to put this in japan at all

1 Like

Simple: geopolitics and the facts that Thai subtree is going to JP so an ASEAN tt is possible in the future.
Phong Khong T-34 is also in the Soviet tt so that argument doesn’t work.

Phong Kong T-34 is also in the Chinese TT

Thailand helped japan in ww2 but vietnam did not

Search up what China did in Vietnam in 1979, and the 1000 years Vietnam under Chinese rule. Suprisingly Japan is pretty open to Vietnam nowadays.

If I’m not mistaken, gaijin still hasn’t said Thailand is going to Japan as a subtree. This is still unconfirmed.

I mean, we alr got the F5E FCU and the suggestion post for the sub tree is alr passed i reckon it would be here sometimes in the future.

Suggestions get passed all the time, and that doesn’t mean anything for the future, just that the developers have seen the suggestion.
The Thai F-5 also doesn’t mean anything for the game at the moment, as gaijin have stated following its implementation.

Gaijin slaughtered the Merkavas and gave them paper armor, what makes you think they won’t do the same with the T-54M3? Just give it heavy cardboard like the rest of NATO tanks…

I did say that the Transmission has an Ukrainian origin (the gearbox too), but the model is unknown so IDK if reverse speed is improved or not.

2 Likes

It was made by Israel and should go to Israel.

1 Like

Fair enough haha, but I have a little bit of hope that by the time this vehicle arrives ingame, gaijin will have added SLERA by then.
although, then again this is gaijin we’re talking about looooool