Type 96 tank

Type 96

ZTZ-96（Also called Type 88C）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 Generation main battle tank (MBT). Based on the Type 88 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 the Type 59, a locally manufactured copy of the Soviet T-54A and its derivatives. The second generation of MBTs started with the Type 80 and ended with the Type 88/Type 96.[1] The third generation begun with the Type 98 tank.

With the failure of first-generation tanks to meet the PLA's demands and the appearance of the T-72 tank in Russia, China continued development of a new indigenous MBT. This led to the WZ-122, Type 80 and Type 88 projects. However, only the Type 88 managed to see service in PLA units. The PLA soon realized that the Type 88 was insufficient to reach parity with contemporary designs after the Gulf War.[1] Hence, the Type 88 was upgraded to the Type 96 which was eventually upgraded into the Type 96A standard.

By mid-2016, the Chinese military has over 7,000 tanks in active service. While about 2,000 were Type 96/Type 96As and about 600 were Type 99/Type 99As, the majority of the PLA armored force were decades-old Type 59 and Type 69/79 tanks. Since the more advanced Type 99 has a high price and limited production capacity, the upgraded Type 96B with a high-performance smoothbore gun, more powerful engine, newly developed transmission gear, and modern fire-control system has the better price and satisfactory capabilities to replace old models and become the backbone of China's tank force.[2]

International Tank Biathlon

In 2014, China participated with the Type 96A in the Russian-hosted tank biathlon where it competed against the Russian T-72B3, clinching third place.[3] China participated again in 2015, coming in second place.[4] In 2016, it won only one gold medal. [5]

Deployment

The Type 96 is the PLA's main armored firepower in hilly island terrain. 36 tanks are deployed in a battalion and 10 tanks are deployed in a company.[6]

Variants

Type 96

See also Type 88 and Tanks in China

Domestic version of Type 85-IIM. Also called Type 88C.[7]

Type 96A

Chinese ZTZ-96A MBT at Tank Biathlon 2014.

"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.[8] The Type 96A can be distinguished from the Type 99 by the driver's position of the left side of the hull.[7] ERA was added on front upper glacis.[9][10] The vehicle is equipped with a thermal imager. Features an upgraded 800hp engine.

A laser defense system similar to the Shtora has been installed as well.[9] Electro-optical jammers which are able to jam enemy guided missiles, rangefinders, and designators are found on the tank.

Type 96B

Chinese ZTZ-96B MBT at Tank Biathlon 2016.

Variant first seen in July 2016 loaded on a train headed for Russia to take part in the 2016 Tank biathlon. It is equipped with an improved engine, improved high-performance gun with an upgraded fire-control system, new transmission, chassis, ventilation, communications and computer systems, exhaust and suspension. Additionally it features an independent commander sight and lighter, more reliable running wheels. The specifications of the upgraded engine are unknown but is speculated to produce between 1,000 and 1,200 horsepower.[11][12][13][14]

VT-2

Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition.[15][16]

Operators

Current operators

Map of Type 96 operators
 People's Republic of China
Sudan Sudan

Tanks of comparable performance

References

  1. 1 2 "中国96式主战坦克-环球展望网-军事-原创专稿". www.armsky.com. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  2. ↑ Type-96B seen as pillar of nation's tank force - China.org.cn, 10 August 2016
  3. ↑ Kucera, Joshua (2014-08-19). "Russia Wins Tank Biathlon; Next Up, Caspian Naval Biathlon?". EurasiaNet. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  4. ↑ "International Army Games conclude with Russian tank biathlon win (VIDEO)". RT English. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  5. ↑ "Aim, race, win! Russia's Tank Biathlon 2016 in most spectacular PHOTOS & VIDEOS". RT International. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  6. ↑ "九六式坦克分队岛屿山地进攻战斗火力运用研究--《中国人民解放军信息工程大学》2005年硕士论文". cdmd.cnki.com.cn. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  7. 1 2 Blasko, Dennis J. (2012). The Chinese army today : tradition and transformation for the 21st century. Abingdon, Oxford: Routledge. p. 152. ISBN 9780415783217.
  8. ↑ 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
  9. 1 2 http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-PLA-Type-96-99.html
  10. ↑ "ZTZ96 (Type 96) Main Battle Tank - SinoDefence.com". 2011-03-07. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  11. ↑ http://mil.sohu.com/20160706/n458012213.shtml
  12. ↑ http://3g.china.com/act/military/11132797/20160706/22997466.html?shouye
  13. ↑ Fisher Jr., Richard D (12 July 2016). "China's Norinco develops new Type 96 MBT variant | IHS Jane's 360". IHS Jane's 360. Washington DC. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  14. ↑ http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/meet-the-backbone-of-chinas-deadly-new-tank-force/
  15. ↑ "The Chinese Defence Company NORINCO unveils new main battle tank VT2 at DSA 2012 1804124 | DSA 2012 defense exhibition Malaysia news | Defense and security exhibition 2012 daily news". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  16. ↑ "Article DSA 2012". defense.gouv.fr. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  17. ↑ "恐怖的数量差：中美最先进坦克数量比1：15_新闻_腾讯网". news.qq.com. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  18. ↑ 刘昆. "传中国96式坦克击毁南苏丹T72 获实战战果". Retrieved 23 February 2015.
Bibliography

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