Type 59G(BD) Durjoy

The Type 59G(BD) Durjoy(Bengali: দুর্জয়) is an upgraded variant of the Chinese Type 59 tank for the Bangladesh Army. The Bangladesh Army's old Type 59 tanks were upgraded to Durjoy standard at 902 Central Workshop of the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory with Chinese assistance.

Type 59G(BD) Durjoy
A Durjoy tank moving off-road
TypeMain Battle Tank
Place of originBangladesh/China
Service history
In service2015-present
Used by Bangladesh Army
Production history
ManufacturerBangladesh Machine Tools Factory
Produced2015-present
No. built≤174 tanks in service.
Specifications
Mass42 tonnes (41 long tons; 46 short tons)
Length6.04 metres (19.8 ft)
Width3.27 metres (10.7 ft)
Height2.59 metres (8 ft 6 in)
Crew4
ArmorHull: Modular composite armour and ERA on the hull front, side skirts and ERA on the sides
Turret: Modular applique armor(Same as Type 96A) and cage armour on the back of the turret
Main
armament
125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing ATGMs and the APFSDS the Durjoy uses can penetrate 500 mm of RHA at 2 kms
Secondary
armament
1 × W85 12.7 mm heavy machine gun
1 x Type 86 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
Enginediesel
730 horsepower (540 kW)
Power/weight17.4 hp/t
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
450 kilometres (280 mi)
Maximum speed 49 kilometres per hour (30 mph)

History

Bangladesh is an active delta with hundreds of rivers and swamps. So its army needs armoured vehicles with limited weight but good protection, firepower and speed. Between the '80s and the early 2000s, the army had hundreds of Type 59 tanks which stayed in service until 2015. The Bangladesh Army decided to upgrade all the remaining functional tanks because the rebuilding process of a tank costs one third of buying a new one. During this process only the tanks, which is based on the upgrade, hull is used and all the other aspects are upgraded.[1] BMTF had upgraded 174 type 59 tnaks were upgraded to Durjoy standard.

Description

The tank uses the basic Type 59 hull which is 6.04 metres (19.8 ft) long, 3.27 metres (10.7 ft) wide and has a height of 2.59 metres (8 ft 6 in). The tank weighs 42 tonnes (41 long tons; 46 short tons) package.[1]

The Durjoy uses a 730 horsepower (540 kW) diesel engine with a torque of 1400 rpm and has a power to weight ratio of 17.4 hp per tonnes. The maximum speed of the vehicle varies: in fact the tank can run at 49 kilometres per hour (30 mph) max. The tanks range is 450 kilometres (280 mi). It is equipped with rubber padded tracks to navigate well in softer soils and swamps. The tank has five road wheels on each side with a prominent gap between the first and second road wheel. The track is driven by a drive sprocket at the rear, with an idler at the front. It is notable that there are no return rollers. The suspension is a torsion bar system. The engine exhaust is on the left fender.[1]

The Durjoy tanks require a crew of 4 people which includes commander, driver, gunner and loader.Unlike the basic Type 59, the Durjoy has an air conditioning system to increase crew comfort and complete NBC protection.[1]

Protection
Side view of Durjoy MBT

The primary protection system of the tank is made of a layer of thick steel modular composite armour. To increase protection against APFSDS, HEAT and ATGM rounds, there is Chinese 3rd generation explosive reactive armour on the tank's front and turret. Besides, there is cage armour at the back of the turret to increase the protection level. Smoke grenade launchers are fitted to each side of the turret. A collective fire suppression system is added to increase the crew survivability rate.The tanks are equipped with a laser warning receiver to give a warning when it's targeted by enemy laser range-finder or laser designator.[1]

Armaments
125 mm main gun of Type 59G(BD) Durjoy

Durjoy tank has a 125 mm smoothbore gun which is the tank's primary weapon. The gun has a dual-axis gun stabilizer which enables the tank to fire at a target while the tank is moving. This gun is capable of firing APFSDS , HEAT and HE rounds as well as anti-tank guided missiles.[1] The APFSDS used by Durjoy tank can penetrate 500mm RHA armor within the distance of 2km.

As a secondary armament, it has a 12.7 mm W85 heavy machine gun with 3000 rounds and a 7.62 mm Type 86 coaxial machine gun with 550-600 rounds. The 12.7 mm machine gun can be used in an anti-aircraft role too.[1]It also has 81mm Smoke grenades.

Electronics

The Durjoy uses a modern fire-control system comparable to the fourth generation Chinese tanks. Its ballistic computer has an integrated thermal imaging system and laser designator. It also has an independent commander's sight.[1]

For mobility, the tank has a night vision system and Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation. Unlike a basic Type 59 tank, these tanks have a combat data link which gives them better situational awareness. This tank uses XDZ-1 SATCOM and VRC-2000L radio contact systems for communication.[1]

Operators
 Bangladesh

See also
Comparable tanks
Related developments
Related lists

References
  1. Abied Hassan (2019-08-30). "Bangladesh Army tests indigenously upgraded Durjoy tanks". Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2019-09-02.
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