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On April 24, Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam, Deputy Minister of National Defense, directly visited the Z125 Machinery Plant to review progress in the research, design, and production of the light tank T-1. The T-1 is the first tank domestically researched and manufactured in Vietnam. The project is strategic, assigned by the Ministry of National Defense and the General Department of Defense Industry to the Z125 Machinery Plant in coordination with many units across the armed forces.
Following directives from the Ministry, Z125 has played a central role while 12 other military units conduct parallel work on research, development, and completion of procedures related to the science and technology mission.
As of now, the assembly of the T-1 prototype is basically complete. The project is set to enter testing and evaluation to continue refining the product. In parallel, the General Department of Defense Industry has prepared the necessary explanatory documents for examination and approval in accordance with the Ministry’s regulations.
According to a representative of Z125 Machinery Plant, the T-1 is developed with a modern, open architecture design. This approach is intended to allow flexible integration and replacement of various weapons and equipment. The vehicle’s key technical and tactical parameters are highlighted in areas including firepower, mobility, and protection.
To accelerate manufacturing progress, Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam directed the Defense Industry Department and Z125 to promptly organize testing and evaluation as a basis for subsequent steps. The target is to complete the work in May 2026.
He also instructed the remaining tasks be sped up to complete the product according to the performance criteria approved by August 31, 2026. The objective is to move the product into trials, acceptance, and display at the international defense exhibition.
The Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2026 is scheduled to take place from December 10 to 13 at Gia Lam Airport, with expectations of attracting about 170 delegations from more than 50 countries.
As of April 6, 38 enterprises and organizations from 14 countries had registered to participate, while another 41 partners are continuing to engage. The exhibition area is expected to cover thousands of square meters with hundreds of booths. The event’s theme is Peace, Friendship, Cooperation and Development, aiming to showcase a wide range of weapons and equipment and related activities on a large scale.
The T-1 development is described as a milestone in Vietnam’s efforts to master core technologies at the plant level. Previously, the unit completed important science and technology tasks, including research, design, and development of the 122 mm PX-122-01 system integrated on the PTH-01 self-propelled gun.
Beyond strengthening defense capability, the T-1 project is also intended to lay a foundation for Vietnam to continue mastering and developing high-technology weapon systems for future operational contexts.
Source: Minh Nhật
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