- The Royal Thai Army confirmed that a VT-4 main battle tank was damaged after sustained heavy firing during operations.
- Army officials said the cause has not yet been determined and remains under technical investigation by the Ordnance Department.
The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that a VT-4 main battle tank suffered serious damage during operations after sustained heavy firing, with the cause still under technical investigation, according to an official statement from the Army’s deputy spokesperson.
In remarks addressing reports about the incident, Col. Richa Suksuwanont, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, said the event did occur and that the tank sustained damage after its main gun was fired repeatedly during ongoing operations.
“Regarding the case of a Thai VT-4 tank experiencing an accident in which firing caused the gun barrel to burst, it did occur,” Col. Richa said. “The tank has damage. As for the cause, it cannot yet be specified and is currently under technical examination.”
He added that several possible factors are being considered, noting the operational tempo of the vehicle. “Based on initial assumptions, there are several possible reasons, since the VT-4 tank has been continuously involved in operations and has conducted intensive firing during the period of operations. Whether this may be the cause or not, we ask that the public wait for a detailed technical verification by the Ordnance Department,” Col. Richa said.
The VT-4 is a Chinese-manufactured main battle tank produced by NORINCO and operated by the Royal Thai Army as part of its armored force modernization. The tank is equipped with a 125mm smoothbore main gun and modern fire control systems, and is designed for high-tempo combat operations.
The confirmation follows earlier reports and images circulating online that showed a VT-4 tank with visible damage to its main gun. Those reports sparked speculation about ammunition quality, barrel fatigue, or maintenance-related issues, though the Army has cautioned against premature conclusions.
According to Col. Richa, the tank had been operating continuously and firing heavily since the start of the operation period, which may have contributed to the incident.
The Army said the Ordnance Department is responsible for conducting a full technical examination of the damaged tank. Such an investigation would normally include inspection of the gun barrel, ammunition, fire control systems, and maintenance records to determine whether the failure resulted from material fatigue, manufacturing defects, ammunition issues, or operational factors.
The VT-4 tank, manufactured by NORINCO and operated by Thailand, has been promoted by China as a modern export platform and has been delivered to several foreign customers. Thailand’s use of the VT-4 has been closely followed in the region, as it represents a shift toward newer armored platforms after years of operating older tanks.