The Zhuhai Air Show is one of China’s biggest events for showcasing its military and civilian technology. This year’s event, however, turned awkward for Beijing.
A demonstration of the VT4 tank, one of China’s most advanced armored vehicles, ended with the tank breaking down in the middle of a live performance.
The failure has drawn attention from both Asian and Western media, raising tough questions about the reliability of Chinese military equipment, according to WP.
The VT4 is a third-generation main battle tank developed by Norinco, a Chinese defense company. It has been in production since 2017 and is marketed primarily to foreign buyers.
Countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Thailand have already purchased the tank, which features advanced systems like the GL5 Active Protection System and a 125mm smoothbore gun with an autoloader.
It weighs 52 tons but can reportedly reach speeds of up to 70 km/h.
Remained Immobile Rest of Event
During the Zhuhai Air Show demonstration, the VT4 stopped unexpectedly during a high-profile performance.
The tank remained immobile for the rest of the event, drawing comparisons to a similar failure in 2016 when another Chinese tank, the Type-96B, broke down during an international Tank Biathlon competition.
Critics argue that incidents like this could damage the credibility of Chinese defense exports.
Defense News Nigeria commented on social media that Chinese tanks have struggled with reliability issues in the past.
This latest breakdown adds to ongoing concerns about the VT4’s ability to perform under pressure.
As the tank is marketed to foreign militaries looking for dependable vehicles, the failure at Zhuhai may prompt potential buyers to reconsider.
The VT4 is a key part of China’s strategy to expand its influence in the global arms market.
The tank’s modern design and advanced features are meant to compete with Western and Russian models. However, public mishaps like the one at Zhuhai could have financial and reputational consequences for China’s defense industry.
