Type 96 and Type 99 Main Battle Tanks

Technical Report APA-TR-2009-0901-B

The Type 99 is a Chinese variant of the T-72 as it incorporates the hull, 125mm main gun, automatic loader, advanced Russian armour and active protection systems.

The photograph shows the Type 99A2 main battle tank with the new wedge turret face with internal ERA like the T-72B/T-90 and an active protection system NORINCO is intending to install a Chinese built 1,500hp diesel in a Type 99 main battle tank this year.  The Type 99 fleet was recently upgraded with a new 2.5 generation thermal imaging observation and targeting system along with a 5.5km gun tube launched anti-tank guided system.  The combat weight of the vehicle is now 55 t. to defeat incoming rocket propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles. There is a layer of 20 to 30mm of high hardness armour plate over the explosive reactive armour either side of the main gun, characteristic of the latest Russian 4S23 Relikt built-in reactive armor modules. These modules employ smaller reactive armor tiles that use explosives and flying plates to break up both HEAT and APFSDS projectiles.

NORINCO is intending to install a Chinese built 1,500hp diesel and the fleet was recently upgraded with a new 2.5 generation thermal imaging observation and targeting system along with a 5.5km gun tube launched anti-tank guided system.  The combat weight of the vehicle is now 55 tonnes.

Type 99 MBT.



Type 99 MBT.

The Type 96 main battle tank has undergone an upgrade and is now designated the Type 96A.  The vehicle includes ERA on the glacis plate and add-on armour on the front of the turret, reminiscent of the ‘Super Dolly Parton’ ERA array incorporated on the T-72A. The gunner now has an integrated thermal imaging/day sight, the equipment rack/bar armour on the sides of the turret has been replaced by larger boxes and a Chinese version of the Russian Shtora-1 infra-red/laser jamming system is fitted.

Type 96 MBT.



Type 96 MBT.



Type 96 MBT.

Technical Report APA-TR-2009-0901-B

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