Type 96 tank

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Type 96
300px
ZTZ-96 MBT
Type Main battle tank
Place of origin China
Production history
Manufacturer First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory
Specifications
Weight 42.8 tonnes
Length 6.33m
Width 3.45 m
Height 2.30 m
Crew 3
Armor Type 96: Composite armor (classified) Type 96A: Modular applique armor and ERA plates on hull front
Main
armament
 125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing ATGM and depleted uranium round
Secondary
armament
 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
12.7 mm air-defence machine gun
Engine diesel
780 hp (582 kW)
Power/weight 18 hp/tonne
Suspension torsion bar
Operational
range
 400 km
Speed 65 km/h

The Type 96 (Chinese: 96式; pinyin: Jiǔliù shì) or ZTZ-96 is a Chinese Second/Third Generation main battle tank (MBT). Based on the Type 80/88 family design, the Type 96 entered service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1997.

History

China's tank development can be divided into three generations. The first generation was a locally manufactured copy of the Soviet T-54A, the Type 59 and its derivatives the Type 69/79. The second-generation main battle tank started with the Type 80 and ended with the Type 88/Type 96.[1] The third generation begun with the Type 96G/A, a heavily modified variant of the Type 88 series and the Type 99.

With the failure of the first generation Type 69/79 to meet the PLA's demands and the appearance of the T-72 tank in Russia, China continued development of a new MBT. This led to the WZ-122, Type 80 and Type 88 projects. Only the Type 88 saw service in PLA units. The PLA realized that the Type 88 was insufficient to reach parity with contemporary designs after the Gulf War.[1] Hence, the Type 88 eventually evolved into the Type 96, which was further modified into the Type 96A.

International Tank Biathlon

In 2014, China entered the Type 96A in the Russian-hosted tank biathlon where it competed against the Russian T-72B3, clinching third place.[2] China participated again in 2015, coming in second place.[3]

Variants

Type 96

See also Type 88 and MBT2000

Domestic version of Type 85II-AP. Also called Type 88C.[4]

Type 96G / Type 96A

File:Type 96A tank in Beijing.jpg
Side profile of the Type 96A

"Arrow shaped" modular armor similar to the Type 99 is installed on the turret front. The Type 96A is a third-generation upgrade of the Type 96. Its internal electronics may have been upgraded to Type 99 standards.[5] The Type 96A can be distinguished from the Type 99 by the driver's position of the left side of the hull.[4] ERA was added on front upper glacis.[6][7] The vehicle is equipped with a thermal imager.

A laser defense system similar to the Shtora has been installed as well.[6] Electro-optical jammers are found on the tank, which are able to jam enemy guided missiles, rangefinders, and designators.

VT-2

Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition.[8][9]

Operators

File:Type 96 operators.png
Map of Type 96 operators

Current operators

 People's Republic of China
Sudan Sudan

Tanks of comparable performance

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ http://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/ztz96a_type_96a_96g_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_information_description_intelligence_uk.html
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-PLA-Type-96-99.html
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Bibliography
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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