The Vietnamese tank crew clinched the gold medal in Group 2 of the Tank Biathlon Competition in the 2020 Army Games. With this great achievement, the team is eligible to compete with strong competitors such as Russia, Belarus and China in Group 1 of the Tank Biathlon Competition in the 2021 Army Games. The competition will take place at the Alabino training grounds outside Moscow in Russia.

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All crewmembers are practicing hard to achieve high results at the 2021 Army Games

As the event draws near the Vietnamese tank teams have been actively practicing with their highest level of determination.

They have practiced at different training grounds nationwide in order to master their vehicles in various terrains and weather conditions. The training period at the National Military Training Center No.2 is an advanced phase of the training process.

Driving the old T-54 and PT-76 tanks over the obstacles designed specifically for the new T72-B3 tank is a big challenge for all crewmembers. At the 2021 Army Games, participating teams will drive T72-B3 tanks given by the organizers. However, the Vietnamese Tank-Armored Corps has not been equipped with this type of tank yet, so the tank teams still have to practice on the old tank models with steering systems and shooting control systems that are completely different from the T72-B3 series.

With high determination and effort, the Vietnamese tank teams try to overcome the vehicle’s weaknesses and maximize the effectiveness of its weapons and equipment. Thanks to regular practice, the crewmembers’ coordination capability has been continuously improved.

In the “Tank Biathlon” event, participating teams are required to cross 11 obstacles and destroy three targets No.12 with the main gun from a distance of 1600-1800m, one target No.25 (helicopter) with a 12.7 mm machine gun from a distance of 800-1000m, and one target No.9 (anti-tank grenade launcher) with a PKT machine gun from a distance of 600-800m. If a target is missed, they will have to complete a penalty round.

Colonel Vu Manh Tu, Deputy Commander of the Military Training Department of the Staff of the Tank-Armored Corps and Deputy Head of the Vietnamese tank crew going to the 2021 Army Games revealed that crew members with good health, bravery and professional qualifications are selected from many units of the Tank-Armored Arm.

Translated by Trung Thanh