Description

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THRC possessed a substantial number of unused S-130E units, many of which had been left in long-term storage and were gradually deteriorating. Rather than scrapping these vehicles in favor of entirely new platforms—or allowing them to decay into irrelevance—THRC chose a more utilitarian solution: a comprehensive modernization program built around a full structural and systems overhaul.

The decision was not economical in the short term. The upgrade process was expensive, technically demanding, and deliberately limited in scale. Fewer than 2,000 S-130E units were selected for conversion into the S-130M and S-130M2 variants. The program ran over a relatively short but intense period, spanning 1978 to 1982, prioritizing speed and capability retention over mass rollout.

The overhaul was extensive. Each vehicle received new radio communication systems, additional armor protection, and externally mounted explosive reactive armor. The turret was reworked to include a bustle compartment, allowing spare ammunition to be relocated out of the crew compartment, improving survivability. Powertrain components were fully overhauled, including a new engine rebuild and an improved transmission, resulting in higher reliability and better mobility.

Fire control and situational awareness saw the most significant improvements. The upgrade introduced a new fire control system, second-generation thermal imaging, and increased turret traverse speed. A remotely controlled weapon station armed with a heavy machine gun was added, enhancing close-range defense and reducing crew exposure.

All of these modifications came at a cost of approximately 6,500,000 Credits per unit. Despite the expense, THRC assessed the program as a strategic preservation of capability rather than a sunk cost. Following domestic completion, THRC moved to offer the upgraded platform on the export market at a unit price of 7,000,000 Credits, positioning the S-130M as a modernized, combat-ready system derived from a proven chassis.

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Overview

Name : S-130M Sköldmö
Place of Origin : THRC
Type : Main Battle Tank (modernized MBT)
Role : Direct-fire armored combat vehicle
In Service : 1979 – Present
Designed : Original hull: early–mid 1950s / Modernization: late 1970s
Operator : THRC Ground Forces
Manufacturer : THRC State Arsenal / BlackGear Company
Designer : THRC Armored Directorate
Unit Cost : ~6,500,000 Credits (upgrade cost) / ~7,000,000 Credits (export)

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Specifications

Configuration : Tracked
Combat Weight (GVW) : ~48,500–50,000 kg (depending on ERA fit)

Crew Capacity :
– Crew : 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver)
– Loader : Autoloader retained

Dimensions :
– Length (with gun forward) : ~11.0 m
– Hull length : N/A
– Width : ~3.7 m
– Height : ~2.45 m (with RCWS)

Maximum Road Speed : ~60 km/h
Operational Range :
– Road : ~420 km
– Uneven / mountainous terrain : ~300 km

Powerplant : Diesel engine (overhauled, reinforced internals)
Engine Output : ~750–780 hp
Transmission Type : Upgraded transmission with improved steering response and gear ratios

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Protection

Hull Construction : Welded steel hull with early composite integration
Additional Protection : Modular ERA packages (frontal arc and sides)

Upper Glacis :
– ~230–260 mm RHA equivalent (base + ERA)
– Composite structure with quartz aggregate filler
– Sloped 48.7° from horizontal

Lower Glacis :
– ~90 mm RHA
– Sloped 72.7° from horizontal

Side Armor :
– 50–80 mm RHA, supplemented by side-mounted ERA

Roof :
– 25–35 mm RHA

Rear :
– 40–50 mm RHA

Turret (Frontal Arc) :
– ~380–420 mm RHA equivalent on cheeks
– ~450 mm RHA equivalent around trunnion
– Composite layering enhanced, ERA coverage added

Turret Sides / Rear :
– 60–100 mm RHA, with ERA on exposed sectors

Internal Protection :
– Improved spall liner
– Turret bustle ammunition stowage with blow-out panels
– Reduced crew-compartment ammunition exposure

Defensive Systems :
– RCWS fitted with heavy machine gun
– Smoke dischargers integrated with FCS

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Armament

Primary Armament :
– 2A130M2 130 mm rifled gun, L/48

Ammunition Types :
– APCBC (primary anti-armor, early service)
– HE
– HE-Fragmentation
– APFSDS (introduced during 1970s modernization)

Gun Elevation :
– Depression : −5°
– Elevation : +15°

Ammunition Handling :
– Carousel autoloader

Secondary Armament :
– Coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun
– RCWS-M2 mounting HMG-12K (12.7×108 mm)

Fire Control System :
– Day/night optical sights
– Laser rangefinder
– Analog / hybrid ballistic computer
– Two-axis stabilizer

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2A130M2

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Pricing

Export Availability: Confirmed

Unit Pricing (Credits):

• 50–999 units: 7,000,000 Credits per unit
• 1,000 units and above: 6,700,000 Credits per unit

Pricing is determined by the total quantity ordered. Orders below 50 units are not accepted.