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Type 96 tank

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Type 96 Main Battle Tank
ZTZ-96
Type 96B MBT at Tank Biathlon 2017.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originChina
Service history
In service1997–present
Used bySeeOperators
Production history
ManufacturerFirst Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory
No.built2,500+[1]
Specifications
MassType 96: 41 tonnes
Type 96A: 42.8 tonnes
Type 96B: 43 tonnes
Length6.33 m
Width3.45 m
Height2.30 m
Crew3
ArmorType 96: Composite armor (Steel & Ceramic Aluminum Titanate with Fibreglass Cloth) Type 96A: Modular applique armor on the turret and FY-4 ERA plates on hull front
Main
armament
Type 88C/ZPT-98 125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing ATGMs and depleted uranium rounds
Secondary
armament
Type 86 7.62 mmcoaxialmachine gun
QJC-88 12.7 mm air-defence machine gun
EngineDiesel
Type 96: 12V150ZLC - 730 hp (582 kW)
Type 96A: 12V150ZLD - 865hp (636 kW)
Type 96B: 8V150HB - 1000hp (735kW)
Power/weightType 96: (17.8 hp/tonne)
Type 96A: (18.7 hp/tonne)
Type 96B: (23 hp/tonne)
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
400 km
Maximum speed65 km/h
74 km/h (Type 96B)

TheType 96(Chinese:96 thức;pinyin:Jiǔliù shì) orZTZ96is aChinesesecond generationmain battle tank(MBT). The final evolution of theType 88design, the Type 96 entered service with thePeople's Liberation Army(PLA) in 1997. The later variants of the Type 96 are currently in PLA service together with China's third generation MBT, theType 99.

History[edit]

China's tank development can be divided into three generations. The first generation was theType 59,a locally manufactured copy of theSovietT-54and itsderivative tanks.The second generation of MBTs started with theType 80and reached its end state as the Type 96.[2]Thethird generationbegan with theType 99tank.

China's first generation tank development program failed to meet the PLA's performance requirements. These technical shortcomings coincided with the appearance of theT-72andT-80tanks inRussia,which influenced Chinese defense officials and contributed to their decision to begin development of a new generation indigenous MBT in the early 1980s. This new program was to lead to the development of the Type 80/85 family by 1988.

Chinese Type 85-IIM Tank, Export version of Type 96 tank.

The Type 80 prototypes were accepted into PLA service as the Type 88A/B. Most distinctively, the Type 88 family had six road wheels instead of the five that the previous Chinese MBTs possessed. However, after the 1991Gulf Warthe PLA soon realized that the Type 88 design was insufficient, due to Iraqi Type 59/69 tanks' poor performance against contemporaryNATOtanks (as the Type 88 itself is a further development of theType 59). A better domestic MBT was required. However, continued delays in China's third gen MBT development meant the PLA had no choice but to continue development of the Type 85 family. In 1995, Norinco produced the Type 85-III prototype with an upgraded engine and explosive reactive armor.

In 1997, the upgraded Type 85-IIM prototypes were accepted into PLA service as the Type 88C/Type 96. The most visible difference between the Type 96 and earlier Type 88 series tanks was the additionalspaced armoron the turret front. This spaced armor gave the Type 96 a rectangular front profile, visually distinguishing it from the round turret of the Type 88. Other visible differences included their armament: the Type 96 possessed a locally designed 125mmsmoothbore gunwhile the earlier Type 88 variants used a 105mmrifled guninstead. This made the Type 96 the first PLA tank in service armed with a 125mm caliber gun.

By mid-2016, the Chinese military had over 7,000 tanks in active service, including about 2,077 Type 96/Type 96As and about 814Type 99/Type 99As.Compared to the Type 99—with its high capability and similarly high cost—the cheaper Type 96B is seen by domestic experts as the main tank in the modernization of the PLA.[3]

Deployment[edit]

In the early 2000s, the Type 96 was the PLA's main armored firepower formaneuver warfareunits. 31 tanks are deployed in an armored battalion and 10 tanks are deployed in a company.[4]

After the PLA's reforms in 2017, the Type 96 is deployed in thecombined armsbattalion of the new heavy combined arms brigade. Each battalion features two tank companies and two mechanized infantry companies, with each company having 14 vehicles.[5][6][7]

International Tank Biathlon[edit]

Type 96A at Tank Biathlon 2014

In 2014, China participated with the Type 96A in the Russian-hostedtank biathlon,where it competed against the Russian T-72B3, clinching third place.[8]China participated again in 2015, coming in second place.[citation needed]In 2016, it won one gold medal (out of a total of 23 awarded gold medals).[citation needed]China once again reached the finals of the Tank Biathlon in 2021.[9]

Design[edit]

Armaments[edit]

The main armament is a 2-plane stabilized 125 mm ZPT-98 smoothbore gun with anautoloaderusing a carousel-style magazine.[10]The main gun has afume extractorlocated midway along its length. Secondary armaments include a QJC-88 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The Type 96 is equipped with the ISFCS-212 computerizedfire-control systemwith a ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, and automatic target tracking capability. When the Type 96 entered service, its fire-control system was reportedly superior to that of the T-72 tanks fielded by other nations at the time.[11]The Type 96 is capable of day/night all-weather operations as the driver, gunner and commander have access tonight vision devicesandimage intensifiers.[11]

Type 96A is fitted with ISFCS-212B fire-control system,[12]which replaced the gunner night vision sight withthermal imagingsystem sporting 3x and 8x optical magnifications.[13]The new GUMS-2 digital ballistic computer provides more detailed calibration in sophisticated environments. The gunner thermal sight is connected to the commander terminal, which allows the commander to take over in an emergency.[14]Type 96B's fire-control system is further upgraded from Type 96A, which includes new computer, communication, command and control systems.[15]Despite the lack of commander-independent thermal sight, the fire-control computer of Type 96A and Type 96B allows the commander to acquire and engage enemy targets through the optical periscope mounted on the commander’s hatch.[14][16]

Protection[edit]

The vehicle features six double-tired road wheels with tracks. The upper portions of the tracks are protected by armor skirts in saw-toothed shape. Theglacis plateis sloped to the point of being near-horizontal for better protection. The turret has a low-profile design, which makes the vehicle less likely to be seen on the battlefield. Six smoke grenade dischargers are fitted to the side of the turret, providing total of 12 smokes. Due to the usage of autoloader, the tank only has a crew of three, which consists of the driver, tank commander, and gunner. The tank series is also fitted withNBC protectionandautomatic fire suppression system.[11][17]Type 96 features steel and composite armor on the front hull and turret.[11]On Type 96A, the tank turret is fully welded with improved steel armor layer and composite mix. The arrow-shaped FY-4 explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks are mounted on the turret, hull, and storage bucket for increased protection.[18][13]Type 96B's armor layout is similar to that of Type 96A.[15]

An electro-optical actived defense system, TCS-2, developed by 303 Institute ofNorinco,is installed on the Type 96A prototype. TCS-2 was not installed on the mass-produced version due to limited protection against modernanti-tank missiles.

Mobility[edit]

The tank driver sits at the front-left of the hull. The tank commander and gunner sit in the turret. The engine compartment is located in the rear.[17]The Type 96 tank was powered by a 730 hp (582 kW) engine which was subsequently upgraded to a 800 hp engine on the Type 96A.[13]

On the Type 96B, the engine was upgraded again to 1200 hp (895 kW). It also features a newhydropneumatic suspension systemand automatic transmission system, providing greater mobility and responsiveness. The increase in horsepower also allows the Type 96B to have a very highpower-to-weight ratio,improving its acceleration and hill climbing abilities.[15][2]

Variants[edit]

Type 96 tank
Chinese Type 96A MBT atTank Biathlon2014.
Type 96B at Tank Biathlon 2017

Type 96[edit]

Domestic version of Type 85-IIM. Sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Type 88C.[19]Renamed Type 96 when put into PLA service. In comparison to the Type 85 and Type 88, the Type 96 features a more powerful engine, improved electronics and a welded turret. Type 96 was accepted by the PLA in 1997.

Type 96A[edit]

Additional "arrow-shaped" modular armor similar to the Type 99 is installed on the turret front. The back of the hull is now completely flat compared to the baseline Type 96. The Type 96A was first revealed in 2006, but in-service tanks were first seen in a military parade in 2009.[18]

The Type 96A is a third-generation upgrade of the Type 96. Its internal electronics may have been upgraded to Type 99 standards.[18]The visual profile of the Type 96A is similar to the Type 99. However, the Type 96A can be distinguished from the Type 99 by the driver's position of the left side of the hull.[19]FY-4ERAwas added on front upper glacis.[20][21]The vehicle is equipped with a thermal imager. Features an upgraded 800 hp (600 kW) engine.

TCS-2 electro-optical active defense system, similar to theShtora,has been installed.[20]Electro-optical jammers which are able to jam enemy guided missiles, rangefinders, and designators are found on the tank.

Type 96B[edit]

Variant first seen in July 2016 loaded on a Russia-bound train to participate 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. However it still doesn't feature a commander-independent sight.[15]Compared to the previous variants, the two exhausts that were originally located on the right side of the hull are now located on the rear hull with air vents. The Type 96B has a stated maximum speed of 74 km/h.[22][2]

VT-2[edit]

VT-2 Tank

Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition.[23][24]Can be equipped withRemote Weapons Stationand has a maximum speed of 70 km/h (on road). Capable of turning on its own axis.[25]On December 9, 2021, theTanzania People's Defence Forcedisplayed a single unit of the VT-2 main battle tank during a parade inDar es Salaamto mark the 60th anniversary of Tanzanian independence.[26]

Operators[edit]

Map of Type 96 operators
People's Republic of China
  • People's Liberation Army– 36+ battalions of Type-96A (around 1,500 units), 31+ battalions of Type 96 (around 1,000 units) as of December 2015.[1]
Tanzania

Gallery[edit]

  • Type 96A tank without hull ERA mounted.
    Type 96A tank without hull ERA mounted.
  • Rear side of the Type 96A.
    Rear side of the Type 96A.
  • Rear side of the Type 96B.
    Rear side of the Type 96B.
  • Type 96B in Tank Biathlon themed camouflage paint
    Type 96B in Tank Biathlon themed camouflage paint

See also[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toType 96 tanks.
Related Development
Comparable ground systems

References[edit]

  1. ^abInternational Institute for Strategic Studies(2021).The Military Balance 2021.Routledge. p. 251.ISBN9781032012278.
  2. ^abc"The PLA Loves Its Thousands Of Type 96 Tanks".21stcenturyasianarmsrace.20 December 2017.
  3. ^Type-96B seen as pillar of nation's tank force- China.org.cn, 10 August 2016
  4. ^"96 thức xe tăng phân đội đảo nhỏ vùng núi tiến công chiến đấu hỏa lực vận dụng nghiên cứu --《 quân giải phóng nhân dân Trung Quốc tin tức công trình đại học 》2005 năm thạc sĩ luận văn".cdmd.cnki.cn(in Chinese).Retrieved2016-03-08.
  5. ^A. Marvel, Bradley (September 2019)."The Combined Arms Battalion and Combined Arms Brigade: The New Backbone of the Chinese Army".Red Diamond.10(3): 46.Retrieved11 May2021.
  6. ^Arostegui, Joshua (2020)."An Introduction to China's High-Mobility Combined Arms Battalion Concept"(PDF).U.S. Army.
  7. ^"Learning from Russia: How China used Russian models and experiences to modernize the PLA".Mercator Institute for China Studies.23 September 2020.
  8. ^Kucera, Joshua (2014-08-19)."Russia Wins Tank Biathlon; Next Up, Caspian Naval Biathlon?".EurasiaNet.Retrieved2015-11-07.
  9. ^"Azerbaijani team reaches final of Tank Biathlon competition in Moscow".AzerNews.az.2021-09-02.Retrieved2021-09-05.
  10. ^"Type 96 Tank 2C46M-1 Main Gun".fighting-vehicles.11 September 2016.
  11. ^abcd"Type 96".Military Today.
  12. ^"Giải phóng quân 96A xe tăng diễn luyện thành thị công phòng chiến bại lộ ra một đại tiếc nuối ( đồ )".Sina News.28 December 2020.
  13. ^abc"Type 96A".fighting-vehicles.11 September 2016.
  14. ^ab"Giải phóng quân tuyệt đối chủ lực chi ZTZ-96A xe tăng".twgreatdaily.2 March 2020.
  15. ^abcd"Type 96B Tank".fighting-vehicles.12 September 2016.
  16. ^"Nga phương mãnh khen Trung Quốc 96B, trực tiếp điểm ra tam đại kỹ thuật ưu thế, bộ phận chỉ tiêu siêu việt nước Nga đồng hành".NetEase News.25 August 2020.
  17. ^ab"Type 96 (MBT)".militaryfactory.
  18. ^abcAdministrator."ZTZ96A Type 96A 96G main battle tank technical data sheet information description intelligence UK".armyrecognition.Retrieved16 September2018.
  19. ^abBlasko, Dennis J. (2012).The Chinese army today: tradition and transformation for the 21st century.Abingdon, Oxford: Routledge. p. 152.ISBN9780415783217.
  20. ^abMartin, Andrew (22 September 2009)."Type 96 and Type 99 Main Battle Tanks".p. 1.Retrieved16 September2018.
  21. ^"ZTZ96 (Type 96) Main Battle Tank - SinoDefence".2011-03-07. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2011.Retrieved2015-11-07.
  22. ^"Type-96B main battle tank in 60s".theglobalherald.7 April 2021.
  23. ^"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".armyrecognition.Retrieved2015-11-08.
  24. ^"Article DSA 2012".defense.gouv.fr.Retrieved2015-11-08.
  25. ^arronlee33 (2016-11-03),Zhu Hai 1TV - China Air Show 2016: Main Battle Tanks & Armoured Vehicles Demo [720p],archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-22,retrieved2017-03-26{{citation}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ^abKenyette, Patrick (14 December 2021)."Tanzania expands armoured capability with new Norinco VT-2 main battle tank".Military Africa.Retrieved10 March2022.
Bibliography

External links[edit]

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