Official Communique
For several decades, the Cyrassinian Army has operated the M-84A main battle tank as its primary armoured fighting vehicle. Now, as the entire Armed Forces continues to undergo modernisation, the time has come to replace these tanks with a more modern and capable system.
As such, the Ministry of Defence has put forth a tender to international defence contractors for a contract for adoption of a new MBT. The MoD plans to acquire up to 500 of these vehicles.
The performance of this new MBT must exceed that of the M-84As currently in service.
Most important characteristics:
Firepower, target detection, first hit probability, crew survivability, automation, efficiency, logistics, modularity, long service life (upgradeable), autonomy and battlefield awareness.
Requirements:
Armament:
Main gun: Ideally 55 caliber 120mm smoothbore with autoloader
Secondary: Coaxial MG, commander's MG on remote weapon station
Laser rangefinder, muzzle reference device, target track and lead, stabilisation, digital fire control system and ballistics computer
Performance:
Specifications: The weight should not exceed 70 tons, and should preferably be in the 50-60 ton range.
The speed of the new MBT should reach at least 70 kmh on road, 50 kmh offroad. Ideally, it will have a similar/the same reverse speed.
Components: Hydropneumatic suspension will be given special attention
The new vehicle should be powered by a diesel engine, with an under armour auxillery power unit. Special interest will be given to thermal signature reducing technology.
The tank must have a good power to weight ratio, special attention will be given to modular/easy to remove power packs, as well as ease of maintenance.
Protection:
The tank should have blow out panels for ammunition stowage in case of ammo cook off.
The tank's armour should be composite armour on front and turret.
There should be mounting ERA/NERA/Applique armour, as well as anti-RPG slat armour. The crew compartment must be protected from spalling with armoured lining.
For passive protection, the tank should be equipped with laser warning receivers, IR smoke dischargers, engine smoke systems, radio/IR jamming and automated fire extinguishers in the crew compartment.
Special attention will be given to advanced armour layouts and materials.
Systems
Independent thermals for the commander and gunner are a must, with panoramic CITV, hunter killer ability and integration with battle management systems and data-links.
The crew compartment must have full NBC protection and be air conditioned/climate controlled.
Delivery of this vehicle will be completed in cooperation with Cyrassinian industry, with manufacturing of components locally, for example ammo, computer technologies, turret casting and the engine. The tank should ideally come with accompanying bride layers, ARVs and CEVs of the same chassis.
The tender will be closed in 2 weeks, where the most promising products will be shortlisted. A winner selected in the following days.
I wish you all the best in this competition, and look forward to personally reviewing all of the designs.
Signed,
Abdul Hafiz, Ministry of Defence, Emirate of Cyrassinia