Yes the stingray was suppose to be a far better tank, Singapore
was interested in it also. However after the thailand army brought
it, a lot of issues seem to surface including major structure
fault, there where major crack in the hull for most tanks after use
! Major weld repairs was needed .Since the new was openly reported,
stingray have not been popular.
Nowaday still small tanks can hide in tree line and ambush enemy
forces. Yes MBT have thermal imaging device, but there is totally
limitation in the use in tropical jungle. In desert or woodland,
yes thermal imaging is able to penetrate the light vegetation, and
spot the tanks. But with our tropical type of vegetation, you can
forget it. Also with such thick vegetation, or plantation type, or
urban, even a fully warm up tank signature will be totally
hidden.
For targeting system it will be totally confuse by the surrounding,
as too many objects, thus will in a way still go back to the good
old fashion human aiming.
I give you one good example of how thermal imaging device will not
work in our thick vegetation. Remember the Tekong Robber case ? If
thermal imagining really works wonders, we would be have planes,
helicopter, jeeps with thermal imagining targeting them out, and
not doing old methods they of search.
