The Kpht 344 is a Skoric-produced tank based on the UBT program that jointly operated between the Mugawana PSR and the Skoric Daugrech. Due to varying needs and partly the reluctance to share indigenous technology with the Mugawana PSR led to the program ending. However, the Mugawns would go onto develop it further on their own, turning it into the MPT-90. The Skorics meanwhile reused the hull that was designed, giving it a better more robust engine (almost 1500 HP) which greatly enhanced its mobility. It was also given an entirely new turret and the latest optics, namely a completely new Thermal sight. The main armament did not change however, still using the tried and tested Skoric 120mm cannon. Unlike the MPT-90, it doesn't have a 20mm anti-aircraft cannon, instead having a 13mm heavy machinegun.
Apart from visible changes, there were some changes 'beneath the hood' so to say. New materials were added to the composite armor to enhance protection against KE and CE, something that stands in stark contrast to the tungsten inserts used on the MPT-90. Large blocky composite screens were also mounted to the side of the tank to increase survivability against RPG's and give all-round protection against old CE rounds.
The Kpht 344 would become the right arm of the Skoric armed forces, as its mobility, advanced protection and next-generation optics allowed to be superior to most tanks that were/are fielded by enemies. This was evidently clear during the Skoric intervention into the North-east of the Mugawana PSR. The tank was proven to be hard to destroy using rebel weaponry, and as such, mobility kills were the only feasible means of knocking out the Kpht 344.
The KPHT 344 has an upgrade kit in the works that currently seeks to improve upon it. The KPHT 344(M) is supposed to be a highly modern version, utilizing new optics and sensors that are supposed to heighten situational awareness, survivability, and also lethality.
Improvement of the potential KPHT 344(M) includes the mounting of heavier composite screens, and also additional armor in the form of composite blocks that are mounted to the UFP, providing more protection against KE and also CE weapons. Along with the additional external armor, the composite armor is set to receive a newly developed composite armor scheme with depleted uranium inserts, which provides 40% extra protection against CE and KE over the previous scheme at the cost of a large increase in weight. A hard-kill/soft-kill active protection system is also going to be installed (CON) which provides protection against SACLOS missiles, and even some kinetic penetrators. A new engine is also installed, which provides 1700 horsepower, compared to the 1500 horsepower of the KPHT 344. The same transmission is kept, however, keeping its incredibly quick reverse speed.
Apart from the survivability upgrade, there is also the lethality upgrade. The autoloader is more newer and reliable, with the turret bustle also being expanded to accommodate more shells. The gun is also lengthened by 11 calibers, so as to be able to use a more newer APFSDS shell that was developed, with 30% more penetration against the previous top KE shell. CE performance is still about the same, however, the velocity is increased by a slight amount.