Military
New Chinese Light
Tank
Light tank
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The new Chinese light tank will be
used for reconnaissance and infantry support
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Recently a new light tank appeared
in China. First pictures of the new tank appeared back in 2010. The whole
project is being kept in secrecy. There were no official comments regarding
this new tank. It's Designation is also unknown. It was developed specially
for mountainous terrain, such as Tibet, jungles and river regions. Once in
service it will succeed the previous Type 62 light tanks. Other sources
report, that this tank is already in service with Chinese Army. Chinese
requirement might be for at least 300 new light tanks.
The new tank has an entirely new design. It weights about 30-35 t. Mobility
is the key factor of this new machine. It is intended mainly for
reconnaissance and infantry support operations. It will operate in terrains
that are not accessible to heavier main battle tanks. It might be also used
by airborne troops.
It is worth noting that the Indian T-72 or T-90main battle tanks can not go high
in to the mountains. At high altitudes air becomes thin and their engines
start to loose power. So high in the mountains the new Chinese tank should
not encounter any heavily-armored opponents.
Front of the hull and turret are fitted with modular armor panels. It is
likely that front arc provided protection against 12.7-mm or 14.5-mm
ammunition. All-round protection is against small arms fire and artillery
shell splinters. It is possible that this tank uses various countermeasures
systems.
It seems that this tank is fitted with a 125-mm smoothbore gun. Gun of the
same caliber is also used on larger Chinese tanks, such as Type 96 and Type 99. It is likely that the new tank
can launch laser-guided anti-tank missiles in the same manner as ordinary
projectiles. Chinese developed their own gun-launched missiles, based on
Soviet technology and are widely using them. These missiles have a range of
4-5 km and hit probability of over 90% against stationary targets. Missiles
can also target low-flying helicopters.
The new tank is powered with a turbocharged diesel engine, developing about
600 hp. It has adjustable hydropneumatic suspension. It is clearly influenced
by Russian designs. This new tank is air transportable. It can be airlifted
by military cargo aircraft. It is possible that this tank can be paradropped.
The new tank is not amphibious.
It is likely that a whole family of armored vehicles will be based on the new
tank.
It is worth noting that Chinese Marines operate a ZBD-2000 amphibious
light tank. This vehicle was specially designed for high-speed
swimming. It is armed with a 105-mm gun. Both of these tanks are totally
different. Developers had no intention to simplify servicing and maintenance
by using interchangeable components. Development of this new reconnaissance
tank shows the high level of resources China is devoting towards it's
offensive capabilities.
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