Armor Failure: Nigeria Halts Chinese Tank Deal After VT-4s Falter Against Insurgents

Nigeria's ambitious armored modernization program is facing a major setback as the military reviews its partnership with China's NORINCO . Reports indicate that the VT-4 main battle tank , once touted as a high-tech solution for the fight against Boko Haram , has severely underperformed in actual combat scenarios.

Reliability issues are at the heart of the controversy. Sources within the Nigerian defense establishment reveal that the tanks are plagued by frequent mechanical breakdowns, spending more time in maintenance sheds than on the frontlines. Even more concerning are reports of vulnerable armor; at least one unit was reportedly neutralized by standard insurgent RPGs, raising serious questions about the vehicle's survivability. With NORINCO also struggling to provide timely spare parts, the Nigerian government is now reconsidering its planned order of 40 additional units, casting a shadow over China's growing military footprint in West Africa.