The Amphibious 15-Ton Vietnamese-Made Combat Vehicle Rivals Russia’s BMP-1 and America’s M113

Vietnam Proudly Presents the XCB-01 Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The XCB-01, Vietnam’s domestically-researched and produced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), made its debut at the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Exhibition, capturing the spotlight and showcasing the country’s robust defense capabilities.

Not only was the XCB-01 introduced at the exhibition, but it also participated in the 12th Army Corps’ drill in late 2023. It is currently being manufactured at the Z189 Shipyard in Hai Phong.

This IFV marks the beginning of Vietnam’s indigenous tracked armored vehicle production, weighing approximately 15 tons. It boasts modern technical features with a length of 6.95m, a width of 3.25m, and a height of 2.14m, excluding the elevation of the main gun.

Equipped with a flexible track system and operated by a three-person crew, the XCB-01 also features advanced laser sensors, enabling swift detection and response to threats from artillery, missiles, or UAVs.

Its combat ensemble includes a 73mm main gun with a semi-automatic loading system, a coaxial machine gun, and an anti-aircraft machine gun, delivering formidable firepower against enemy infantry.

Additionally, with a maximum speed of 65 km/h and a swimming speed of 7 km/h, along with a 300 horsepower diesel engine and a suspension system capable of traversing diverse terrain, the XCB-01 emerges as a formidable contender on the battlefield.

The XCB-01 is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers for camouflage and a built-in air conditioning system, ensuring comfort for the crew and accompanying infantry in Vietnam’s hot and humid climate. The vehicle accommodates a crew of three and can carry up to eight infantrymen.

XCB-01 Rivals the US’s M113 and Russia’s BMP-1

According to Senior Colonel Le Anh Son, Deputy Director of the Technology Management Department (General Department of Defense Industry), the XCB-01 is comparable in size and weight to the US’s M113 armored personnel carrier and Russia’s BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle.

When comparing these three vehicles, the XCB-01 holds its ground in the three most crucial aspects of an armored vehicle: mobility, weaponry, and protection.

The US’s M113 Armored Personnel Carrier

The M113 armored personnel carrier was first produced in the late 1950s, and approximately 80,000 units have been manufactured since. It is not only used by the US Army but also by nearly 50 other countries and regions worldwide.

In terms of size, the M113 weighs 12.3 tons, with a length of 4.9m, a width of 2.7m, and a height of 2.5m. Its tracks are 38.1cm wide and use 15.24cm-wide gears, with 64 track links on the right side and 63 on the left.

Each track link is fitted with removable rubber pads, enhancing road grip and reducing noise during movement. The average lifespan of the tracks is 4,900km, occasionally reaching up to 14,400km.

The M113 can carry up to 11 troops. The driver’s compartment is located on the left front, with an entrance from the rear. The vehicle commander sits in the middle, while the remaining 10 troops can sit facing each other on two benches.

When not carrying troops, these benches can be folded to create a spacious cargo area of up to 6.54 cubic meters. A hydraulically operated ramp at the rear, along with another entrance, can be controlled from the driver’s position.

The M113 is capable of swimming without prior preparation. It only needs to raise its front shield to ensure stability while moving in the water, and the motion of the tracks propels it forward. This vehicle can be transported by aircraft such as the C-5, C-17, C-130, and C-141.

Its weaponry includes a 12.7mm machine gun with an effective range of up to 1,800m and two 7.62mm medium machine guns that can fire to either side of the vehicle. The M113 provides troops with mobile combat capabilities, allowing them to engage in battles from within the vehicle instead of waiting to reach their destination before dismounting.

Russia’s BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle weighs 13 tons and was the first IFV in the world, produced and deployed by the Soviet Union in 1966.

Protected by a hull made of rolled steel, the BMP-1 is equipped with a 73mm gun, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and the Malyutka anti-tank missile launcher. It can move on water using the propulsion from its tracks.

Powered by a 300-horsepower diesel engine and gearbox, the BMP-1 features a driver’s seat at the front. A unique aspect of this vehicle compared to other Soviet-era tracked armored vehicles is its use of a steering wheel instead of levers for control.

The center of the vehicle houses a small turret containing the commander and gunner, while the rear accommodates up to eight troops, along with an additional fuel tank. The troop compartment also has slots for the Strela-2 surface-to-air missile system. The BMP-1 is equipped with a system for defense against weapons of mass destruction.

This IFV was a significant success for the Soviet Union, with over 20,000 units produced from 1966 to 1983, and it demonstrated superior advantages over conventional armored vehicles in combat.