The Royal Thai Army expects the first of its new Chinese-made VT-4 main battle tanks (MBTs) to arrive within the year as part of its modernization program for its armored force.

It's ordered 38 VT-4s from China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), builder of the VT-4. The first order involves 28 tanks and the latest order involves 10 tanks. More VT-4s will be ordered from China.

The first lot of 28 tanks is expected to be delivered this year, said General Chalermchai Sitthisart, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Army.

He said the army will equip its 6th Cavalry Battalion in Khon Kaen and the 21st Cavalry Battalion in Roi Et with a total of 49 VT-4 MBTs.

Gen. Chalermchai said the army's tank procurement panel decided to go for the VT-4 following the slow delivery of the T-84 Oplot MBTs made by Ukraine.

Ukraine was contracted to supply T-84s tanks in 2011, but was unable to fulfill this obligation due to political and military challenges it faced, the most serious of which was Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian province of Crimea.

The army ordered 48 T-84s tanks but only received 20. Gen. Chalermchai said the army is expected to receive another five T-84s soon. He emphasized the army plans to deploy a full battalion of T-84s.

Thailand might acquire up to 150 VT-4s. Each VT-4 is said to cost $3 million.

The VT-4s will replace the army's ageing M41A3 Walker Bulldogs, which were first produced for the U.S. Army in the early 1950s.

The 52 ton VT-4 incorporates technology from the Type-99A, the main MBT operated by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It's armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun also capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles.

The gun is fed by an automatic loader holding 22 rounds. It has a rate of fire of eight rounds per minute. VT-4 can carry 38 rounds of ammunition for its 125 mm gun.