Hi I'm new to this forum, I would just like to discuss the feasebility of amoured warfare in jungle or plantation terrain. Namely in Malaysian Peninsula espiacially with Malaysia being the only southeast asian country with a modern MBT (PT-91 polish upgrade of the T72 ) and how that will affect operations in said terrain.
As a former amoured infantry Spore (now reservist). operating from M113's supported by uprgraded amx13 ( SM1 ). We were told that MBT have no place in a Jungle enviroment being too big, basicly its mobility in a jungle enviroment sucks, very heavy ( not all bridges can take the weight), guzzles too much fuel and ammo . During the Vietnam war the US used the M60's, which were reduced to mobile pillboxes.
Hence Spore's development of light tanks and IFV,s.
1 on 1 the PT-91 will eat any Spore amoured vehicle for snacks, but in Jungle or Plantation enviroment : accurate and prompt arty and Infantry rules.
BUT a normal SAF Infantry section (anti armour limited to Armbrust) cannot take out a MAF PT91 from the front ( unless unsurpported and we can flank the sob) it will have to wait for the milans, sm1's or airforce to take it out. Our IFV's are armed with 20mm, 40mm and 0.5mm obvously for soft targets. Even the SM1's ( if I am not wrong is only 75mm I beleive there are upgrades to 105mm ) will have difficulties with the front armour of the PT-91.
So did malaysia make the right move in investing in a MBT or Spore which invested in only light tank and IFV, mobile arty, apache's and increased anti armour capability for support units ( milan2, MATODOR ) .
I personaly think that airpower is way over rated in an jungle enviroment. very useful yes but not war winning.
Ps : by the way Spore centurions ( first produced in 1945 ) have been disbanded loong time ago, way too old for modern combat anybody with a LAW can take it out.
As a former amoured infantry Spore (now reservist). operating from M113's supported by uprgraded amx13 ( SM1 ). We were told that MBT have no place in a Jungle enviroment being too big, basicly its mobility in a jungle enviroment sucks, very heavy ( not all bridges can take the weight), guzzles too much fuel and ammo . During the Vietnam war the US used the M60's, which were reduced to mobile pillboxes.
Hence Spore's development of light tanks and IFV,s.
1 on 1 the PT-91 will eat any Spore amoured vehicle for snacks, but in Jungle or Plantation enviroment : accurate and prompt arty and Infantry rules.
BUT a normal SAF Infantry section (anti armour limited to Armbrust) cannot take out a MAF PT91 from the front ( unless unsurpported and we can flank the sob) it will have to wait for the milans, sm1's or airforce to take it out. Our IFV's are armed with 20mm, 40mm and 0.5mm obvously for soft targets. Even the SM1's ( if I am not wrong is only 75mm I beleive there are upgrades to 105mm ) will have difficulties with the front armour of the PT-91.
So did malaysia make the right move in investing in a MBT or Spore which invested in only light tank and IFV, mobile arty, apache's and increased anti armour capability for support units ( milan2, MATODOR ) .
I personaly think that airpower is way over rated in an jungle enviroment. very useful yes but not war winning.
Ps : by the way Spore centurions ( first produced in 1945 ) have been disbanded loong time ago, way too old for modern combat anybody with a LAW can take it out.