One of the modern reasons for the pride of the Chinese defense industry is the Type 99 main tank. At the moment, this combat vehicle represents the highest achievement of Chinese tank builders and combines all the latest developments in this area. The Chinese military and industrialists often call the Type 99 tank one of the best representatives of its class in the world. It is argued that in terms of its characteristics, it surpasses most of the modern tanks and is inferior to only a few types. The correctness of such statements is a topic for a separate discussion. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that over the past half century and more, China has come a long way in the field of tank building and by now has formed a full-fledged design school. To do this, he needed to spend a lot of time, effort and money, which was spent on the design and production of several models of tanks.
It should be noted that the Chinese military got acquainted with tanks even before the formation of the PRC. The first armored vehicles of this class appeared in China during the so-called. The era of the militarists. In the mid-twenties, the Fengtian clique, led by Zhang Zuolin, bought 36 FT-17 light tanks from France, which became the first Chinese equipment of this class. Later, after the unification of China, the new government began to buy small batches of tanks of different models from Great Britain and Italy. In total, only a few dozen tanks were purchased. The reason for this was both the country's insufficient financial capabilities and a lack of understanding of the role of tanks in the war. This attitude towards tanks remained until the end of the thirties. In 1938, China acquired less than a hundred T-26 tanks from the Soviet Union, most of which were lost in battles with Japan.
FT-17
Until the mid-fifties, Chinese tank forces operated foreign-made equipment. At the same time, armored vehicles of Soviet, American and even Japanese production were encountered in different parts. Only in the fifties did the official Beijing decide to start independent construction of tanks at its own production facilities.
Type 59
In the 1950s, the Soviet Union supplied China with a number of T-54 medium tanks. Soon after the start of operation of these machines, the Chinese leadership acquired a license from the USSR for their construction. In 1957, plant No. 617 (Baotou city), having received Soviet documentation, assembled the first batch of Chinese-made tanks. The T-54, slightly modified in accordance with the capabilities of the Chinese industry, was named "Type 59" (the designation WZ-120 is also found).
As a licensed copy of the T-54 tank, the Type 59 retained its main features: design, layout and various units. At the same time, the power plant, weapons and other equipment changed their name. So, the 100-mm rifled gun D-10T was produced in China under the name "Type 59T". The same designation was given to the SGMT machine guns, one of which was paired with a cannon, and the second was located in the frontal sheet of the hull. Sighting devices and communication equipment, like the rest of the tank's units, were produced under license and differed from the Soviet ones only in new names. At the same time, the Chinese tank did not receive night vision devices. The diesel engine 12150L was also copied from the Soviet one used on the T-54. 540 hp engine provided the Chinese tank "Type 59" with mobility at the level of the Soviet T-54.
Production of the Type 59 tank lasted from 1957 to 1961, after which Chinese factories began to build armored vehicles of the new Type 59-I modification. It differed from the base model with an updated Type 69-II gun of 100 mm caliber, night vision devices and a ballistic computer with manual data entry. Over time, all tanks "Type 59" were converted to the state "Type 59-II". In the future, the upgraded machines were equipped with a laser rangefinder, side screens and new ballistic computers.
From 1982 to 1985, the Chinese defense industry built Type 59-I tanks. Their main difference from the previous tanks of this family was the 105-mm rifled gun "Type 81" with an ejector and a heat-shielding casing, which was a copy of the English L7 gun. On the basis of this modification, the Type 59-IIA tank was created. In its design, combined armor was used to a limited extent.
Serial production of Type 59 tanks ended in 1987. Over 30 years, more than 10 thousand combat vehicles of seven modifications were built. The bulk of the tanks built in the eighties were exported. Currently, Type 59 tanks remain in service with 17 countries. Some of them carried out independent modernization of this equipment, and also developed other types of equipment on a tank chassis.
Type 63
In the mid-fifties, the Soviet Union handed over to the PRC several PT-76 light amphibious tanks. The Chinese military studied this technique and expressed a desire to get such tanks of their own production. Already in 1959, tests of the Type 60 amphibious tank began. There were several major flaws in the design of this machine, due to which the customer abandoned the new development. In this regard, the Chinese tank builders began a new project, during which it was supposed to get rid of the existing problems.
The resulting tank "Type 63" in general terms is similar to the Soviet PT-76. However, there are several major differences. So, the driver's workplace was shifted to the left side, and the crew was increased to four people. The Chinese amphibious tank was armed with an 85 mm Type 62-85 rifled gun, a coaxial rifle-caliber machine gun and a large-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun.
For movement on water, the Type 63 amphibious tank, like the Soviet PT-76, used two water cannons in the stern. However, in addition to such propellers, the Chinese combat vehicle could swim, rewinding the tracks.
Type 63 on display at the Military Museum in Beijing
For several years of production, a number of modifications of the "Type 63" were created. They all differed from each other by minor changes in the composition of the equipment, etc. The most interesting modification is the Type 63HG. This amphibious tank had better seaworthiness in comparison with the base vehicle. In addition, he received a 105-mm rifled cannon, which significantly increased its combat potential.
On the basis of the Type 63 tank, several armored vehicles of various classes were created. Over the years of production, more than 1,500 of these tanks were built, some of which China supplied to third countries. The Chinese army currently uses about 500 of these tanks. Also, a number of Type 63 vehicles remain in service with North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Vietnam and other countries.
"Type 69" and "Type 79"
The first Chinese tank of its own design is considered the "Type 69", created in the seventies. Initially, this project involved a deep modernization of one of the modifications of the Type 59 tank, but the military abandoned the armored vehicle created in this way. In 1969, the Chinese army managed to capture the Soviet T-62 tank. Chinese experts carefully studied the captured vehicle and took into account some of the nuances of its design and equipment. The Type 69 project was finalized in accordance with the information received. Serial construction of a new tank soon began.
Tank "Type 69" had a combat weight of 36, 7 tons and was equipped with a 580 hp diesel engine. The hull and turret of the vehicle were similar to the corresponding units of the "Type 59", but at the same time they differed in the thickness of some elements. The Type 69 received the Type-69-II rifled cannon as its main weapon. Additional armament was similar to the armored vehicles of the previous model. It was supposed to equip the tank with modern sighting devices, communication systems, a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer.
According to some sources, the tank "Type 69" in its serial form did not quite suit the customer in the person of the Chinese armed forces. In this regard, the newest combat vehicle was in trial operation for several years, and it was put into service only in 1982. At the same time, the new tank was first demonstrated to the general public. Probably, the reason for the claims from the military was the insufficient characteristics of the tank. In terms of its firepower, it slightly surpassed the "Type 59" of later modifications and was noticeably inferior to modern foreign tanks.
Nevertheless, the Type 69 tanks were of interest to foreign customers. The first export contract was signed in 1983 with Iraq. Following the Iraqi military, other third world countries, primarily Asian, showed their interest in the new Chinese development. In the Middle East alone, a total of more than two thousand Type 69 tanks have been purchased. In addition, contracts with Pakistan and Sudan included the assembly of tanks at local factories. Some of the units were manufactured by the countries themselves, some were purchased from the PRC.
During the modernization of the Type 69 project, the Type 69-III modification appeared. In connection with significant changes in design, weapons and equipment, the Chinese tank builders decided to give this development the status of a separate project called "Type 79". This tank was equipped with a 105 mm Type 83 cannon with a cover, a 730 hp diesel engine. and a number of special equipment made in England. Marconi provided Chinese tank builders with a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer and sights. The Type 79 was the first Chinese tank with an automatic anti-nuclear protection system. In addition, for the first time in Chinese practice, the tank received a system of dynamic protection of the frontal projection.
Type 80
Tank "Type 79", unlike "Type 69", met the requirements of the Chinese military. However, against the background of foreign successes, the future of this armored vehicle looked ambiguous. In this regard, work began on updating the Type 79 project in order to improve the characteristics of a promising tank. The new model of armored vehicles was named "Type 80".
Tank "Type 80" was created on the basis of the experience gained in the course of previous projects, but at the same time there were many innovations in its design. The modified chassis of the Type 79 was taken as the basis for this tank. The armored hull was slightly lengthened, which is why the chassis had to be equipped with six road wheels on each side. For the first time in the history of Chinese tank building, the Type 80 armored vehicle received a fully welded turret, which made it possible to significantly increase the level of protection. The basis of the power plant was the 1215OL-7BW diesel engine, produced under a German license. With a power of 730 hp it provided a 38-ton tank with a top speed of 56 km / h.
In the turret of the Type 80 tank, a 105-mm Type 83 rifled gun, which had already been used on previous Chinese armored vehicles, was installed stabilized in two planes. To control the fire, Chinese specialists developed a number of special systems, but the laser rangefinder was produced under an English license. Additional armament "Type 80" consisted of large-caliber anti-aircraft and coaxial 7, 62-mm machine guns.
Soon after the Type 80 tank, its improved version, Type 80-II, appeared. She was distinguished by the presence of new equipment. These were a new Chinese-developed laser rangefinder, an equipment testing system, enhanced protection for sighting devices, and an upgraded system of protection against weapons of mass destruction.
Type 85
In the mid-eighties, the Chinese defense industry modernized the Type 80 tank. It was assumed that a slightly modified "Type 80" will be adopted by the Chinese army, but its combat characteristics did not suit the potential customer. The decision was made to concentrate forces on the creation of the next generation of main tanks. At the same time, the need to improve the fleet of existing equipment was taken into account. The Type 85 project was developed with the aim of improving the characteristics of the already built Type 80 tanks.
The first two versions of the Type 85 project involved the installation of new equipment on the Type 80 tanks or the use of combined armor. Significant innovations followed in the Type 85-II project. Instead of a 105mm rifled gun, this tank was to receive a 125mm smoothbore gun, copied from the Soviet 2A46. In addition, the "Type 85-II" was supposed to be equipped with an automatic loader, which made it possible to reduce the crew to three people. According to available information, the creation of an updated tank with a 125-mm cannon was facilitated by the Middle East wars, as a result of which a number of Soviet-made T-72 tanks entered China through third countries.
In the mid-nineties, the Type 85-MMB tank was shown. It was a Type 85-II vehicle with reinforced combined armor, a new fire control system and sights with a night channel.
To date, about 600 Type 80 tanks in the Chinese armed forces have been converted to Type 85 condition. Another 300 machines of the Type 85-II modification with a 125 mm cannon were built in Pakistan under a Chinese license. Also, Pakistan was offered a modification of the "Type 85-III" with a more powerful engine and new equipment, but the potential customer rejected the possibility of purchasing this equipment.
Type 88
The Type 88 project, like the Type 85, was intended to improve the existing technology of previous models. The new tank was based on the Type 80. The main changes in relation to the basic armored vehicle consisted of updated elements of the armored hull and some new devices. Some of the changes to the hull and turret were made for the installation of reactive armor blocks. To increase the rate of fire, the new tank received loading mechanisms that made the work of the crew easier. Tank "Type 88" was adopted by the Chinese army in the late eighties.
The Type 83 gun was specially updated for the Type 88A modification. In the new version, this 105 mm gun had a longer barrel, which significantly increased its capabilities. Projectile feed mechanisms have undergone minor changes. On the hull and turret of the combat vehicle, blocks of a new type of dynamic protection system were installed.
Simultaneously with the Type 88A, the Type 88B was developed. This modification of the main tank received improved automatic loading, as well as a new fire control system. To simplify the subsequent serial production, the Type 88A and Type 88B tanks were unified as much as possible.
Unlike previous modifications, the Type 88C tank was created on the basis of the Type 85-II model. Originally, the Type 88C was a basic vehicle equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loader and a new fire control system. Later, the tank of this model received a new 1000 hp engine. Soon after the completion of the tests of the Type 88C tank, the new fire control system was integrated into the previous projects of the 88 family.
Currently, the Chinese armed forces have no more than 450-500 Type 88 tanks of all modifications. Over 200 Type 88B tanks were delivered to Burma. Other countries have shown interest in the new Chinese tank, but have not expressed a desire to purchase it.
Type 90
In the nineties, Chinese tank builders created several new main tanks, which were a deep modernization of the Type 85 combat vehicle. The first version of the Type 90 project had the same composition of weapons and equipment as the basic combat vehicle. All modifications concerned the turret and the armored hull. The Type 90 was the first Chinese tank with a modular armor architecture. This means that some of the housing elements may have been replaced during repair or refurbishment. In particular, in the future it was planned to re-equip the produced Type 90 tanks with new combined armor with higher protection characteristics. Several prototypes of such a tank were built, but they did not suit the Chinese army.
The failure to supply its own armed forces prompted the authors of the project to continue working on new modifications. Thus, the Type 90-I tank was developed specifically for deliveries to Pakistan. At the request of the customer, it was equipped with a British-made Perkins Shrewsbury CV12 diesel engine and a French SESM ESM 500 transmission. By that time, these units had already been used on the Challenger 2 and Leclerc tanks, respectively. In the late nineties, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests, one of the results of which was an embargo on the supply of weapons to this country. Due to the lack of engines and transmissions, the Type 90-I project was closed.
The embargo forced the Chinese tank builders to find a way to fulfill the Pakistani order. This is how the Type 90-II project appeared. It was supposed to replace foreign-made components with Chinese counterparts. Tests have shown that the existing engines and transmission systems cannot be compared with the units of the English and French production. Because of this, the Type 90-II project was also closed due to the lack of prospects.
The problem of the power plant was solved in the early 2000s, when Chinese designers created a Type 90-MMB tank equipped with a Ukrainian-made 6TD-2 diesel engine. This engine was able to provide the required power density and work on the project continued. The result of the joint work of the PRC and Pakistan was the creation of the main Al-Khalid tank, which is currently used by the Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Moroccan military. The production of tanks is carried out at enterprises in China and Pakistan.
Type 96
In the mid-nineties, the Chinese defense industry created a new tank that combined all the advanced developments in the Type 83 and Type 90 projects. The resulting Type 96 main tank received modular combined armor, a 1000 hp diesel engine, a 125 mm gun and modern electronics. Approximately in 1997, the Type 96 went into production, replacing the Type 88, the production of which was discontinued.
The Type 96 differed significantly from the previous machines in the design of some elements of the hull and turret. At the same time, the maximum differences were observed in the electronic equipment. The new automated fire control system was coupled with a laser rangefinder and sights with a thermal imaging channel. It was argued that the Type 96 tanks are equipped with a laser optical-electronic countermeasures system.
According to reports, the Type 96 tank is currently the most massive vehicle of its class in the Chinese ground forces. Various sources claim that 2000-2500 of these tanks have been built since the late nineties. 200 armored vehicles of this type were purchased by Sudan.
Type 98
Back in the eighties, Chinese tank builders began work on a promising tank capable of withstanding foreign combat vehicles on an equal footing. The first version of such a tank was the Type 98. A characteristic feature of this project was the widespread use of new ideas that had not previously been encountered in the tank building of China. In particular, the "Type 98" received a welded turret with a developed aft niche, in which the ammunition was placed. Previously, the ammunition load of Chinese tanks was housed inside the hull. Such "know-how", spied on by Western designers, had specific consequences: the loader returned to the crew.
In the course of the development of the Type 98 project, it was necessary to return to the idea of using a carousel-type automatic loader, which was used on some previous tanks. Thanks to this, the crew of the new Type 98G combat vehicle was again reduced to three people. In addition, the updated tank received a Chinese-made 150HB engine with a capacity of 1200 hp.
According to reports, only a few dozen Type 98 and Type 98G tanks were built. These combat vehicles were not widely used, but at the same time they became the basis for the newest Chinese tank.
Type 99
The most advanced and modern tank in the Chinese army is the Type 99 and its modifications. This combat vehicle was created taking into account both Chinese and global experience in tank building. The armored hull and turret are equipped with combined armor that increases the level of protection. A laser countermeasure system is also used to protect the tank from guided weapons. There is no exact data on the use of the reactive armor system.
Tank "Type 99" is equipped with a 1500 hp engine, which is a copy of the German diesel MB871ka501. Despite the combat weight of about 54 tons, the Type 99 tank is capable of moving along the highway at a speed of up to 80 km / h. In addition, the engine provides a sufficiently high travel speed over rough terrain.
The "Type 99" armament complex resembles that used on modern Russian tanks. The 125-mm smoothbore cannon stabilized in two planes is coupled with a carousel-type autoloader. In the packing of the combat vehicle there are 41 separate-case rounds, 22 of which are in the cells of the automatic loader. The ammunition load includes shells of various types. In addition, there is information about the creation in China of a guided missile suitable for use with an existing tank gun.
Tank "Type 99", according to available data, has a set of equipment inherent in all modern combat vehicles. The commander and gunner have stabilized sights with a thermal imaging channel. There is also a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer and automatic target tracking. It is argued that the Type 99 tank fire control system allows you to accurately determine the location of the combat vehicle and, if necessary, fire from closed positions.
Several years ago, an updated tank called "Type 99A1" was shown. It differed from the original car in some changes in the shape of the turret. They were probably due to some technological reasons.
A further development of the newest Chinese tank was the Type 99A2. The fire control system and sighting devices have undergone major changes. In addition, the new tanks are supposed to be equipped with a system for displaying information about the battlefield. Instead of a laser defense system against anti-tank systems, it is proposed to use an active defense complex.
Over the past few years, about 500 Type 99 tanks of all modifications have been built. According to some reports, the bulk of these tanks were built in accordance with the Type 99 project. The updated versions, due to their complexity, are produced in relatively small batches and have not yet become widespread in the armored forces.
Past, present and future
As you can see, for several decades, the tank builders of the PRC were able to go a difficult path from assembling combat vehicles under license to independently designing armored vehicles. At the same time, it should be noted that some of the Chinese tank projects are directly related to each other. Each subsequent of these projects is a development of the previous one. Ultimately, this "family tree" goes back to the Type 59 tank and, as a result, to the Soviet T-54. From this fact, several conclusions can be drawn, both about the modernization potential of the T-54 tank, and about the cautious approach of Chinese designers to the creation of new technology. The latter conclusion is confirmed by the fact that for a long time, China's tanks were created according to the principle of updating equipment and weapons. Noticeable changes at once in all elements of the appearance of combat vehicles began to appear only with the creation of the "eightieth" series. Finally, the latest Chinese tanks show that this approach to the design of technology has become entrenched and is actively used.
For obvious reasons, Chinese tank building has always been forced to catch up with world leaders, while at the same time mastering new technologies and technical solutions. The lag was especially pronounced in the seventies and eighties. Due to the limited capabilities of the defense industry in a hypothetical armed conflict of this time, the Chinese ground forces would have to deal with a notoriously superior enemy. By this time, potential opponents of China already had full-fledged main tanks with combined armor and 120 or 125 mm guns. It is unlikely that tanks like the "Type 69" could cope with such enemy equipment.
In the nineties, the situation began to change rapidly. Tanks with homogeneous armor and 100- or 105-mm guns were replaced by newer and more sophisticated vehicles. At the moment, the newest and best Chinese tank is the Type 99. In its appearance, this combat vehicle corresponds to modern foreign models. However, according to some estimates, the Type 99 and even its latest modifications cannot be fully considered a modern tank. There is some reason to believe that the backlog of the Chinese tank building is still preserved and the "Type 99" corresponds to foreign vehicles created no later than the end of the eighties.
It is worth noting that comparing the latest Chinese tanks with the latest foreign ones is difficult for some reason. After the end of the Cold War, the leaders of the world tank building - Russia, USA, Great Britain, Germany and France - significantly slowed down the pace of development of new vehicles. In recent decades, these countries are mainly busy with the modernization of existing tanks. China, in turn, did not stop its work towards the development of heavy armored vehicles. Thus, comparing Chinese and foreign tanks turns into a difficult task, since recently China could catch up with competitors, at least in certain directions.
With all the complexity of comparing modern tanks, one simple conclusion can be drawn regarding Chinese armored vehicles. Over the past few decades, Chinese engineers have done a lot to develop tank building. To date, the PRC is capable of producing armored vehicles, which in a number of parameters can be compared with the developments of the leading countries. This means that already now Chinese designers are working on new projects, and the "premiere" of a promising combat vehicle may take place in the very near future. It is not known what its characteristics will be, but it cannot be ruled out that this time the Chinese tank builders will be able to create a fully modern tank.
