In the last decades, China has been able to create its own design school in the tank construction field. New types of tanks are being developed and built for their own army and for export. In the meantime, interesting concepts and noteworthy technical solutions are used in modern projects. As a result, Chinese tanks happen to be similar to foreign models, but also have noticeable differences.
General trends
As in other developed countries, only one organization in China is engaged in the development and construction of tanks – the industrial corporation NORINCO. It has extensive experience in the tank construction field and has all the possibilities for the project development and the production of serial equipment.
At the moment the latest main battle tank of Chinese design is the «Type 99A» (ZTZ-99A). This MBT was developed in the middle of the two thousandth on the basis of the previous ZTZ-99, which appeared a few years earlier. By the early 2010s, the «Type 99A» went into series and began to enter the army. Over the years, the PLA has received at least several hundred such machines and production. And it probably continues to.
The latest tank model in service with the PLA is the «medium» ZTQ-15 («Type 15»). It was developed in the middle of the last decade, and officially entered service in 2018. At least 200-250 have been built to date. They were deployed in mountainous areas in the border areas. New vehicles are expected to arrive to form full-fledged strike groups.
Some tank designs are being developed specifically for export. So, this role is assigned to the VT-4 project in the MBT class. An export VT-5 was created with the use of solutions for the average «Type 15». China has already received several foreign orders for such equipment, which shows its commercial potential. Orders are partially executed, but the last batches will be sent to customers only in the future.
«Type 99A» and its features
From the point of the general design features’ view, the Type 99A is similar to the previous Chinese development, as well as to some modern samples of foreign development. Similar layout and technical solutions are used, a similar approach to protection, etc.
Chinese MBT is characterized by using the power plant of the maximum possible capacity offered by the industry. Thus, the ZTZ-99 (A) uses a diesel engine with a capacity of 1500 hp. Due to this, the specific power of the tank exceeds 26-27 hp / t, which allows for high mobility. The undercarriage is traditional for Chinese tanks and is made on the basis of a torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers.
In the «Type 99» project, measures have been taken to further increase protection. Their own combined anti-projectile armor was supplemented with dynamic protection. An irradiation warning system is also provided. A laser defense system designed to suppress the enemy’s optics in order to disrupt the attack was obtained from the previous Chinese MBT. This product distinguishes the Type 99 from foreign tanks as well.
In the field of armaments, the development previously borrowed from Soviet/Russian ideas projects continues. The «main caliber» is a 125-mm gun-launcher, using shells and missiles of various types. Lots of attention is paid to the development of the fire control system. There are commander and gunner sights with thermal imagers of the 3rd generation and other necessary functions. An interesting innovation is the radar gunsight with the possibility of state identification and target tracking.
It is reported that the Type 99A tank is adapted to work in modern battlefield control contours. All necessary means of navigation, communication and tactical information exchange are provided.
The medium «Type 15»
Medium tank ZTQ-15 is already of interest at the level of the basic concept. The PLA ordered a reduced–weight armored vehicle with the highest possible combat characteristics, capable of operating effectively on difficult landscapes — in the desert or in the mountains. Such requirements led to the formation of a characteristic technical appearance of the machine.
Due to various technical solutions, the combat weight of the tank was reduced to 33-36 tons, depending on the presence or absence of additional protection. A 1000-horsepower engine is used, which gives a specific power of about 30 hp / t. In combination with a hydropneumatic suspension, such a power plant provides high cross-country ability, mobility and stability, including on soft soils and on slopes.
The lightweight tank has a combined armoring that provides protection from projectiles. Probably, we are talking about small-caliber artillery and tank guns of limited power. If necessary, a mounted kit with additional panels and dynamic protection is used. Perhaps this kit allows to withstand 120-mm shells and missiles.
A new 105-mm rifled tank gun was developed for the Type 15, capable of using NATO and PLA standards shells. The possibility of an effective fight against medium tanks or with old models of MBT has been declared. Armor and additional protection of modern MBT, apparently, does not break through with such a weapon.
The ZTQ-15 received a FCS similar to the «Type 99A». Combined sights with thermal imaging and laser channels, digital computing tools, etc. are being used again. A modern complex of communication and control facilities is used, including for working in network-centric structures.
Equipment for the market
Modern Chinese tanks for export are being developed on the basis of existing samples for the PLA or using developments on these projects. At the same time, some of the technologies and components are not intended for sale abroad. As a result, tanks of different types are only partially similar to each other and have noticeable differences.
The export MBT VT-4 was created on the basis of the ZTZ-96 and ZTZ-99 tanks, including the use of borrowed components. This tank has a combined armoring, presumably weaker than on the «Type 99 (A)». A 1200 hp engine is also used, which reduces the specific power and overall mobility.
Generally, the weapons complex remains the same and is built around a 125-mm gun-launcher compatible with a wide range of ammunition. The SLA includes all the necessary modern components. At the same time, in terms of fire characteristics, the VT-4 is inferior to the samples in service with the PLA.
Foreign customers have recently been offered a new medium tank. This is a VT-5 machine, which is a noticeably redesigned «Type 15». The two tanks differ significantly in the design of the armoring and the frontal part of the hull, the location of the driver’s hatch, etc. Another version of the hinged protection has been developed. Probably, these improvements are aimed at reducing the level of protection in comparison with the equipment for the PLA.
The armament and related systems on the two tanks, apparently, are not fundamentally different. A foreign customer is invited to use a 105-mm gun and any available ammunition. At the same time, as in the case of the VT-4, some reduction in characteristics is possible in comparison with the original armored vehicle.
Development of all directions
Thus, the Chinese tank industry has shown and repeatedly proved its ability to develop and massively build modern tanks. At the same time, we are talking not only about the main tanks, but also about a new class of equipment with specific requirements. In addition, China finds an opportunity to create new models of equipment specifically for foreign customers.
It should be noted that the MBT direction has not been developed for a long time. The last tank of this class was created almost 15 years ago, and since then no new models have appeared. It is unclear how this fact should be interpreted. Perhaps the development of MBT is still considered unnecessary. It is also possible to assume the development of a completely new tank, which should not be shown publicly yet.
At the same time, in recent years, increased attention has been paid to medium tanks for use in specific conditions. First, they started developing a tank for their own needs, and then offered its export version. Perhaps this direction will be developed in the future.
The bulk of the technical and technological information remains private yet. However, it is clear that NORINCO and related enterprises are actively developing all solutions and technologies characteristic of modern tank construction. It is reflected in the composition and characteristics of the FCS, network-centric systems, etc. The search for fundamentally new ideas is also being carried out. They include laser means of defense or radar sight.
In general, the Chinese tank industry demonstrates design, industrial and commercial advances. According to the real results of its activities, it is progressively approaching competitors from developed countries. It is unknown whether it will be possible to maintain the existing pace and catch up with foreign competitors. But the achievements of recent years show the fundamental possibility of this.