Pakistan Army has inducted the first batch of the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) VT4 main battle tank (MBT) into service, the military's media wing said.

Commander of Mangla Corps Lt Gen Shaheen Mazher Mehmood visited the Armoured Division to inspect the newly-inducted, state-of-the-art VT-4 tanks, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The VT-4 is a Chinese third-generation main battle tank built by Norinco for overseas export. Pakistan has so far ordered 176. It altogether plans to procure 300 of these tanks.

The Pakistani military plans to employ the third-generation tank "in [an] offensive role by strike formations [of the Pakistan Army] after induction”.

The VT-4 is compatible with any modern tank in the world integrating advanced armor protection, maneuverability, firepower capabilities and state-of-the-art technology, the ISPR said, according to Daily Pakistan.

ISPR referred to the VT4 as a “potent war-fighting machine” integrating “advanced armor protection, maneuverability, firepower capabilities and state-of-the-art technology”.

(SAM)