Chinese Type 96G Main Battle Tank
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Ababeel
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I want to know " the percentage of Pakistani parts in Al Khalid" as I heard/read earlier that it has been made with 70% Pakistani parts.
Secondly is Pakistan planning to build its own engine for the tank?
Is any one there?
Secondly is Pakistan planning to build its own engine for the tank?
Is any one there?
fatman17
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CHINESE TANK DEVELOPMENT OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS
ZTZ96 (Type 96) Main Battle Tank
Type 96 Specifications
Last updated: 6 August 2007
The ZTZ96 (also known as Type 96) main battle tank (MBT) was developed from the Type 85-II, a second-generation MBT introduced in the late 1980s. By incorporating the tank with of the third-generation MBT technologies such as 125mm smoothbore gun and image-stabilised fire-control system, the ZTZ96 is approaching the third-generation MBT such as ZTZ99 in performance. It was estimated that 2,000~2,500 examples of the ZTZ96 are currently in service with the PLA ground forces. The tank was also exported to Pakistan as Type 85-IIAP.
Type 85-II
NORINCO developed the Type 85-II MBT based on the Type 80-II in the mid-1980s for the export market. The tank featured a newly designed box-shape welded turret replacing the original half-egg shape cast turret used by previous Chinese MBTs. The tank was also fitted with the ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system, which included a laser rangefinder integrated into the gunner’s sight, control panel, ballistic computer, and a sensor for crosswind, tilt and angular velocity. This, together with the two-way stabilised 105mm gun and roof-mounted stabilised sights, enabled the tank to engage moving targets while on the move. The reaction time from detecting target to firing was 6 seconds.
The Type 85-II carried 48 rounds, including APFSDS, HEAT, and HEAT-FRAG. The APFSDS with alloy core round can penetrate 150mm armour angled at 60 degrees at 1,000m distance. The hallow-charged HEAT round could penetrate 178mm armour angled at 60 degrees. The High-Explosive round could produce a blast radius of 20m.
The MBT had a combat weight of 39 tonnes, and was powered by a liquid-cooled, turbo-charged 800hp diesel engine, with a planetary gear box and hydraulically-operated transmission. The original steering handles were replaced by a steering wheel arrangement.
The Type 85-II did not enter production due to lack of interest.
Type 85-IIM/-IIAP
As the Type 85-II failed to attract any customer, NORINCO continued to develop a radically modified variant Type 85-IIM in the early 1990s. The tank was basically a combination of the Type 80-II’s chassis and the Type 85-II’s turret. The main armament of the tank was a 125mm smoothbore main gun originally developed for China’s third-generation MBT. The tank gun was fitted with an autoloader copied from the Russian 2A46 design, reducing the number of crew from 4 to 3.
The Type 85-IIM had a combat weight of 41 tonnes, and had an enlarged turret to accommodate the gun autoloader. The tank was powered by a liquid-cooled, turbo-charged 12150ZL-V12 diesel rated at 730hp. The tank used mechanical transmission with hydraulic power-assisted steering and clutching. Like the Type 85-II, the Type 85-IIM was also fitted with an ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system and image-intensified night vision.
Pakistan ordered several hundred Type 85-IIM MBTs in two batches in 1991 and 1992. These were the Type 85-IIAP variant based on the Type 85-IIM, with some minor modifications specifically requested by the Pakistani Army.
Type 85-III
In 1995 NORINCO introduced the improved Type 85-III, which was based on the Type 85-IIM but fitted with a 1,000hp diesel engine for improved travelling performance. The prototype displayed by NORINCO also had externally-mounted explosive reaction armour (ERA) modules on the hull front and turret to provide additional protection. This variant was certified for design finalisation in 1997.
ZTZ96 (Type 96)
A modified variant of the Type 85-III first entered service with the PLA ground forces in 1997, initially using designation Type 88C, and later ZTZ96 (Type 96). By 2005, the PLA had reported received over 1,500 examples of the ZTZ96. While the PLA has received a small number of the more advanced third-generation ZTZ99 MBT, the ZTZ96 production continued to replace the bulk of the ageing Type 59s and Type 69s in service with the PLA.
The ZTZ96 is pretty much identical to the Type 85-III, with some minor modifications. The tank was fitted with a 125mm smoothbore gun with autoloader, and an image-stabilised fire control system with laser rangefinder input. The tank is approaching the ZTZ99 in term of firepower, but is still inferior in fire-control and night combat ability.
The ZTZ96 has a conventional layout with three crewmembers. The driver compartment is located at the front (left-side); the turret is mounted in the middle and the engine compartment in the rear. Suspension is of the conventional torsion bar type and there are six rubber-tyred roadwheels on each side, with the drive sprocket at the rear. The turret and hull are of all-welded steel armour construction.
ZTZ96G (Type 96G)
A further modified variant of the ZTZ96 was first revealed in 2006. This variant, known as ZTZ96G, featured arrow-shaped spaced add-on armour modules, which replaced the original vertically faced front armour on the basic variant ZTZ96. Externally-mounted ERA modules were added to the hull front and turret to provide additional protection. Additionally, the tank featured improved fire-control and observation, as well as an electro-optical device which may be an infrared jamming system to disturb the observation and aiming device of enemy anti-tank weapons. The basic variant ZTZ96 production is believed to have now been replaced by the improved ZTZ96G.
Armaments
The ZTZ96 has a 125mm/48-calibre smoothbore gun with autoloader of Russian 2A46M design. By introducing the autoloader to reduce the crew to three men, more rounds are available for the higher rate of fire. The tank can carry 42 rounds, 22 of them stored in the carousel of the autoloader, and the gun can fire at 6~8 rounds per minute.
The main gun is capable firing APFSDS, HEAT, and HEAT-FRAG. The more recent BK-27 HEAT round offers a triple-shaped charge warhead and increased penetration against conventional armour and explosive reactive armour (ERA). The BK-29 round, with a hard penetrator in the nose is specially designed for use against reactive armour, and as an MP round has fragmentation effects.
The tank also carries the Russian 9M119 Refleks (NATO codename: AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile system which is fired from the 125mm main gun. The range of the missile is 100m to 4,000m. The system is intended to engage tanks fitted with ERA as well as low-flying air targets such as helicopters, at a range of up to 5km. China has been producing the 9M119 missile locally under license since the late 1990s.
Auxiliary weapons include one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, with a maximum fire-range of 1,800 m and a fire rate of 250 rounds/min. A 12.7mm/50-calibre anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the command cupola, with a maximum fire-range of 2,000m.
Protection
The hull and turret of the tank are protected by composite armour plating. Wheels and tracks are protected by rubber hull skirts. The turret is surrounded by storage racks are more of a Western design influence. Those storage racks not only offer extra places for the crew to store their equipment but it also provides additional protections against HEAT projectiles. There are six smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret. Additional smoke can be generated by injecting diesel fuel in to the engine's exhaust.
Fire-Control
Fire accuracy is attained by an ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system with laser rangefinder input. In addition, the tank may be fitted with GPS and infrared jamming/disturbing systems. The Type 96G appeared to have been fitted with improved fire-control and observation systems.
Propulsion
The ZTZ96 MBT has a combat weight of 42.5t. It is powered by a liquid cooled 1,000hp diesel engine, providing a power to weight ratio of about 23.52hp/t. The engine can be replaced within 40 minutes in field conditions, and gives the tank a maximum road speed of 65km/h.
ZTZ96 (Type 96) Main Battle Tank
Type 96 Specifications
Last updated: 6 August 2007
The ZTZ96 (also known as Type 96) main battle tank (MBT) was developed from the Type 85-II, a second-generation MBT introduced in the late 1980s. By incorporating the tank with of the third-generation MBT technologies such as 125mm smoothbore gun and image-stabilised fire-control system, the ZTZ96 is approaching the third-generation MBT such as ZTZ99 in performance. It was estimated that 2,000~2,500 examples of the ZTZ96 are currently in service with the PLA ground forces. The tank was also exported to Pakistan as Type 85-IIAP.
Type 85-II
NORINCO developed the Type 85-II MBT based on the Type 80-II in the mid-1980s for the export market. The tank featured a newly designed box-shape welded turret replacing the original half-egg shape cast turret used by previous Chinese MBTs. The tank was also fitted with the ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system, which included a laser rangefinder integrated into the gunner’s sight, control panel, ballistic computer, and a sensor for crosswind, tilt and angular velocity. This, together with the two-way stabilised 105mm gun and roof-mounted stabilised sights, enabled the tank to engage moving targets while on the move. The reaction time from detecting target to firing was 6 seconds.
The Type 85-II carried 48 rounds, including APFSDS, HEAT, and HEAT-FRAG. The APFSDS with alloy core round can penetrate 150mm armour angled at 60 degrees at 1,000m distance. The hallow-charged HEAT round could penetrate 178mm armour angled at 60 degrees. The High-Explosive round could produce a blast radius of 20m.
The MBT had a combat weight of 39 tonnes, and was powered by a liquid-cooled, turbo-charged 800hp diesel engine, with a planetary gear box and hydraulically-operated transmission. The original steering handles were replaced by a steering wheel arrangement.
The Type 85-II did not enter production due to lack of interest.
Type 85-IIM/-IIAP
As the Type 85-II failed to attract any customer, NORINCO continued to develop a radically modified variant Type 85-IIM in the early 1990s. The tank was basically a combination of the Type 80-II’s chassis and the Type 85-II’s turret. The main armament of the tank was a 125mm smoothbore main gun originally developed for China’s third-generation MBT. The tank gun was fitted with an autoloader copied from the Russian 2A46 design, reducing the number of crew from 4 to 3.
The Type 85-IIM had a combat weight of 41 tonnes, and had an enlarged turret to accommodate the gun autoloader. The tank was powered by a liquid-cooled, turbo-charged 12150ZL-V12 diesel rated at 730hp. The tank used mechanical transmission with hydraulic power-assisted steering and clutching. Like the Type 85-II, the Type 85-IIM was also fitted with an ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system and image-intensified night vision.
Pakistan ordered several hundred Type 85-IIM MBTs in two batches in 1991 and 1992. These were the Type 85-IIAP variant based on the Type 85-IIM, with some minor modifications specifically requested by the Pakistani Army.
Type 85-III
In 1995 NORINCO introduced the improved Type 85-III, which was based on the Type 85-IIM but fitted with a 1,000hp diesel engine for improved travelling performance. The prototype displayed by NORINCO also had externally-mounted explosive reaction armour (ERA) modules on the hull front and turret to provide additional protection. This variant was certified for design finalisation in 1997.
ZTZ96 (Type 96)
A modified variant of the Type 85-III first entered service with the PLA ground forces in 1997, initially using designation Type 88C, and later ZTZ96 (Type 96). By 2005, the PLA had reported received over 1,500 examples of the ZTZ96. While the PLA has received a small number of the more advanced third-generation ZTZ99 MBT, the ZTZ96 production continued to replace the bulk of the ageing Type 59s and Type 69s in service with the PLA.
The ZTZ96 is pretty much identical to the Type 85-III, with some minor modifications. The tank was fitted with a 125mm smoothbore gun with autoloader, and an image-stabilised fire control system with laser rangefinder input. The tank is approaching the ZTZ99 in term of firepower, but is still inferior in fire-control and night combat ability.
The ZTZ96 has a conventional layout with three crewmembers. The driver compartment is located at the front (left-side); the turret is mounted in the middle and the engine compartment in the rear. Suspension is of the conventional torsion bar type and there are six rubber-tyred roadwheels on each side, with the drive sprocket at the rear. The turret and hull are of all-welded steel armour construction.
ZTZ96G (Type 96G)
A further modified variant of the ZTZ96 was first revealed in 2006. This variant, known as ZTZ96G, featured arrow-shaped spaced add-on armour modules, which replaced the original vertically faced front armour on the basic variant ZTZ96. Externally-mounted ERA modules were added to the hull front and turret to provide additional protection. Additionally, the tank featured improved fire-control and observation, as well as an electro-optical device which may be an infrared jamming system to disturb the observation and aiming device of enemy anti-tank weapons. The basic variant ZTZ96 production is believed to have now been replaced by the improved ZTZ96G.
Armaments
The ZTZ96 has a 125mm/48-calibre smoothbore gun with autoloader of Russian 2A46M design. By introducing the autoloader to reduce the crew to three men, more rounds are available for the higher rate of fire. The tank can carry 42 rounds, 22 of them stored in the carousel of the autoloader, and the gun can fire at 6~8 rounds per minute.
The main gun is capable firing APFSDS, HEAT, and HEAT-FRAG. The more recent BK-27 HEAT round offers a triple-shaped charge warhead and increased penetration against conventional armour and explosive reactive armour (ERA). The BK-29 round, with a hard penetrator in the nose is specially designed for use against reactive armour, and as an MP round has fragmentation effects.
The tank also carries the Russian 9M119 Refleks (NATO codename: AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile system which is fired from the 125mm main gun. The range of the missile is 100m to 4,000m. The system is intended to engage tanks fitted with ERA as well as low-flying air targets such as helicopters, at a range of up to 5km. China has been producing the 9M119 missile locally under license since the late 1990s.
Auxiliary weapons include one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, with a maximum fire-range of 1,800 m and a fire rate of 250 rounds/min. A 12.7mm/50-calibre anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the command cupola, with a maximum fire-range of 2,000m.
Protection
The hull and turret of the tank are protected by composite armour plating. Wheels and tracks are protected by rubber hull skirts. The turret is surrounded by storage racks are more of a Western design influence. Those storage racks not only offer extra places for the crew to store their equipment but it also provides additional protections against HEAT projectiles. There are six smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret. Additional smoke can be generated by injecting diesel fuel in to the engine's exhaust.
Fire-Control
Fire accuracy is attained by an ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system with laser rangefinder input. In addition, the tank may be fitted with GPS and infrared jamming/disturbing systems. The Type 96G appeared to have been fitted with improved fire-control and observation systems.
Propulsion
The ZTZ96 MBT has a combat weight of 42.5t. It is powered by a liquid cooled 1,000hp diesel engine, providing a power to weight ratio of about 23.52hp/t. The engine can be replaced within 40 minutes in field conditions, and gives the tank a maximum road speed of 65km/h.
The contracted number of AKs for the PA is 320. By 2004, over 90 had been delivered. Also in 2005, the production run was to increase from 50 tanks to 100/yr. I am pretty sure that by now, PA is close to the 300 number inducted.
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