The other day at the Alabino training ground, the next World Championship in tank biathlon ended. The first place in these competitions was again taken by Russian tankers. The second place went to the national team of the People's Liberation Army of China. It is interesting that the Chinese tankers again, for the third time, refused the equipment offered by the organizer. In contrast to other teams that performed on T-72B tanks, the Chinese participants used their own Type 96B armored vehicles. A tank of this type was demonstrated for the first time at such an event and could not fail to attract the attention of specialists and the general public. In addition, some incidents that occurred during the competition attracted additional interest in Chinese technology.
Recall that China has been participating in Russian competitions since 2014. From the very beginning, the Chinese team decided not to use Russian-made tanks offered by the organizer, which is why the crews arrived at the competition with their equipment. In past years, they played on Type 96A tanks, and now armored vehicles of the new Type 96B modification were offered as vehicles for the competition.
The "Type 96B" or ZTZ 96B is the latest member of its family and represents a further development of the previous machines. Using new components and assemblies, as well as some modern developments, NORINCO, which produces the bulk of Chinese armored vehicles, recently proposed another version of a set of measures aimed at improving the main characteristics of equipment. According to reports, the main innovations of the Type 96B project concerned the modernization of the power plant and transmission, with the help of which it was planned to increase the mobility of equipment.
Tank "Type 96B". Photo Warspot.ru
As a development of the existing armored vehicle, "Type 96B" retains some of its features. So, without significant changes from the existing project, the hull and turret with anti-cannon armor and combined protection in the frontal part are borrowed. In addition, the use of dynamic protection is proposed, which further reduces the likelihood of damage. The classic hull layout is also retained with the location of all the power plant and transmission units in the stern.
As the main weapon, tanks of all modifications of the Type 96 family carry the 125-mm smoothbore gun ZPT-98, which is considered a variant of the Soviet / Russian 2A46 cannon. The gun is equipped with an automatic loader and is capable of using various types of ammunition. In addition, compatibility with guided missiles launched through the barrel is ensured. Additional armament consists of a coaxial rifle-caliber machine gun and a large-caliber machine gun on the turret. Also provides for the use of smoke grenade launchers.
In the original version, the Type 96A tanks are reportedly equipped with 1,000 hp NORINCO diesel engines. A mechanical planetary transmission is used, which is a further development of the Type 88 tank systems. The tank has a chassis based on six road wheels with individual torsion bar suspension on each side. Front guide wheels and stern drive wheels are used. With a combat weight of 42.5 tons, the Type 96A tank is capable of speeds up to 65 km / h on the highway.
Previously, there were unconfirmed reports about the modernization of tanks intended to be sent to competitions. According to these data, in order to improve the running characteristics in preparation for the tank biathlon, the Type 96A vehicles received improved engines that developed power up to 1200 hp. In the case of the next modernization project, the use of a new engine also took place. Now the 1200-horsepower engine is standard equipment for Type 96B tanks.
"Type 96A" at last year's competition. Photo Wikimedia Commons
According to the latest reports from the Chinese press, including those related to the armed forces, tanks of the Type 96 family in the foreseeable future will be able to become the main armored vehicles of their class in the army. As of the end of last year, the People's Liberation Army of China had about 7,000 tanks of various models, including about 2,000 Type 96 tanks of the two existing modifications. At the same time, "Type 96" are not the newest and most advanced Chinese tanks: serial production of newer "Type 99" has already been launched. Nevertheless, the total number of the latter does not exceed 600 units, which is associated with the high cost of such equipment. As a consequence, the Type 96B is expected to go into mass production, while the more advanced Type 99 will be built in significantly smaller numbers.
Chinese experts are of the opinion that the main tank "Type 96B" is currently the most successful Chinese development in this area in terms of cost and efficiency. In addition, according to its characteristics, it is argued, this technique is not inferior to foreign models of the present time. Thus, this armored vehicle turns out to be the most convenient means of rearming tank units, in which old types of equipment are still found, including those that no longer meet the requirements of the time.
In early July, the Chinese military began preparing equipment for sending to the competition. In the first days of last month, there were reports of several Type 96B tanks being loaded onto railway platforms and shipped to Russia. A few days later, photos of the train appeared in the public domain, taken already on the territory of our country. In mid-July, Chinese crews and tanks arrived in the Moscow region to participate in the competition.
The participation of new Chinese tanks in the competition showed both the pros and cons of the existing modernization. As it turned out, the new technique does have some advantages, but it is not without its drawbacks. The positive aspects of the modernization affected the general indicators of mobility. At the same time, for one reason or another, Type 96B tanks encountered certain problems.
According to some reports, the upgraded tanks underwent additional training before the competition. First of all, some of the systems and equipment were dismantled from them. To reduce the combat weight, biathlon tanks lost their reactive armor, parts of fuel tanks, etc. Weight savings combined with 1200 hp engine was supposed to provide high rates of mobility. For example, estimates were made about the possibility of acceleration to 75-80 km / h.
Chinese tanks on their way to Alabino. Photo Vestnik-rm.ru
At the initial stages of tank biathlon, such assessments and assumptions were fully justified. The Chinese crews on the Type 96B showed a definite advantage over their rivals in speed and dynamic characteristics. However, in the future, the parameters of the tanks began to decline, negatively affecting the results of the races. Probably, the new power plant of increased power did not have time to pass the entire complex of tests in various conditions and the necessary fine-tuning, which did not allow maintaining the characteristics at the required level throughout all the competitions.
Another characteristic feature of the performances of the Chinese tankers can speak of the lack of knowledge of the transmission and control systems. For example, it has repeatedly gone beyond the limits of the indicated route, marked with columns. This may indicate both insufficient crew experience and the specific characteristics of the equipment, which does not show the required controllability.
Most of the problems of Chinese tanks "Type 96B" during the competition were noticeable only to specialists, but not without obvious breakdowns, which do not require special knowledge or skills to identify. On August 13, after passing one of the obstacles, the Chinese tank was forced to stop due to a breakdown. Loads when driving through the so-called the comb led to the destruction of the front left road roller balancer mountings. The roller and balancer made chaotic movements inside the track for several seconds, after which they flew out and rolled over the edge of the track.
After the breakdown, the Chinese tank passed some part of the route, and then stopped waiting for a replacement. The crew had to finish the race in another car. In addition, due to a breakdown on the track, the team was fined.
For obvious reasons, the road roller incident is perhaps the most discussed topic in the context of the recent Tank Biathlon Championship. Indeed, equipment breakdowns at competitions or during preparation for them do not happen very often, which is why each such incident attracts special attention. In addition, an additional reason for interest is the fact that the Chinese team is using their own technique. Thus, there is a reason to consider the performance at the competition in the context of determining the potential of the technique as a whole.
A tank that has lost a skating rink. Photo Tvzvezda.ru
Interestingly, this is not the first time that Chinese tankers have encountered technical problems. So, in 2014, at one of the stages of the competition, they needed a new car, since the tank on which they started simply stalled and needed repair. Now the list of reasons for replacing equipment includes an accident with a road roller.
According to the results of recent competitions, there are reasons for criticism of the latest Chinese armored vehicles. The participation of tanks in biathlon showed that they have a number of problems that, to one degree or another, worsen the real characteristics and capabilities. In addition, they do not allow the crews of the equipment to fully realize all the advantages associated with the innovations of the modernization project. As a result, there was a deterioration in performance, as well as obvious breakdowns.
The main goal of the Type 96B project, as follows from the data published by China, was to increase the mobility of the tank using a more powerful engine. The increase in power at the level of 20% relative to the basic modification "Type 96A" was supposed to significantly increase the speed parameters of the machine, as well as simplify overcoming various obstacles. Nevertheless, as shown by the participation of armored vehicles in recent Russian competitions, to date, it retains certain problems that do not allow the use of the power plant with full impact.
In addition, there is a reason for accusations of lack of reliability. In the course of overcoming obstacles that are not a serious difficulty for modern tanks, the Chinese Type 96B vehicle lost its support roller and balancer. Despite the loss of a suspension element, the tank was able to continue moving, which indicates its fairly high survivability, but full participation in the races after that was impossible. Fortunately for the crew, the same type of tank fitted for replacement completed all the tasks assigned to it without noticeable problems.
Once again, the Chinese participants of the tank biathlon, held in Russia, used their own technique, rejecting the one offered by the organizers. In the course of the competition, these machines delivered certain troubles to their crews, however, in general, the results of the performances of the Chinese national team look very successful. In the overall team standings, the tankers of the People's Liberation Army of China took second place, losing only to the Russian participants, which may indicate the good capabilities of the equipment and the corresponding skills of its crews.
Damaged undercarriage. Photo Ursa-tm.ru
It is quite obvious that even before the end of the competition, Chinese specialists began to study and analyze the problems that had arisen in order to find their solutions and then improve the serial technology. There is reason to believe that by the next competition the main shortcomings of the Type 96B will be corrected, thanks to which such tanks will be able to pass along the track and hit the indicated targets without any problems this time.
Nevertheless, not only technical flaws will have to be corrected, but also the reputation of the technique. Problems with engines and damage to the undercarriage can seriously affect the image of Type 96B tanks in the eyes of potential customers. This technique has a certain export potential, but the inability to show its good side during the competition can change the opinion of its potential buyers. In addition, the situation takes on a specific form in the light of the statements of Chinese specialists and experts. They argue that China's newest tank is not inferior to foreign technology in its characteristics, but in practice the situation looks quite different.
Time will tell whether NORINCO will cope with the current tasks of improving equipment and restoring its reputation. Next year, the Chinese industry will have a new chance to demonstrate their latest developments during the next World Championships in tank biathlon.
