During Thailand's recent military training, a dramatic scene showed the difference between the two tanks: the Chinese VN-16 amphibious attack tank moved forward quickly, followed by the American A**-7A1 amphibious truck. This is a huge difference in the armaments of the two countries.
The A**-7A1, which has been in service since 1972, can reach a maximum surface speed of 13 kilometers per hour. In sharp contrast, the export model VN-16 of the Type 05 attack boat produced in China can reach 26 km h, which is equivalent to 2 times that of the A**-7A1. Although the A**-7A system is still the workhorse of the US Marine Corps, the safety and capabilities of this system have been questioned.
The VN-16 18 is a Type 05 amphibious assault ship exported to the outside world, which has a more complex structure and more powerful firepower. The Thai Navy is equipped with this new combat vehicle, indicating the growth of its military power. The Thai Navy's A**-7 was originally planned to be its main **, but it has now been gradually replaced by the VN-16 Type 18.
Due to the US Army's dissatisfaction with the A**-7, the ACV, developed by Italy and the United Kingdom, launched a worldwide tender around the world. The ACV is an 8x8 amphibious armored vehicle with a maximum speed of 105 km on land and 15 km per hour in water, which is slightly higher than the A**-7.
The US Army has always been at the forefront of the world in land and water operations, but the Chinese Army has made great strides in amphibious assaults, and in particular, the amphibious assault units represented by the US Army have shown remarkable combat effectiveness. In the future, the capabilities of the two countries will constantly evolve and change, and new equipment will be introduced. The VN-16 and A**-7 tanks on the Gulf of Thailand are not only a contrast between the two combat vehicles, but also a reflection of the completely different routes and strategies taken by the two countries in the research and development of the two countries.