Chinese Main Battle Tanks and their capabilities

May 30, 2025

Chinese Main Battle Tanks and their capabilities

Chinese Main Battle Tanks

Type 96

Prototype: 1991

Production: 1996

Service: 1997

Combat Rank: D

Generation: 3+

Number Made: 1000+

Type 96A

Prototype: 2004

Production: 2007

Service: 2009

Combat Rank: D

Generation: 3.5

Number Made: 2000+

Fire Control System: ISFCS-212 low end fully digital FCS with a BCLA-212 32x bit fully digital ballistic computer enabling fully automatic digital target lead with a TSC-2 2× axis digital hydroelectric stabilisation enabling an under 1 MRAD hit rate, at speeds of 50 kph vs targets moving at 30 kph with a max turret rotation speed of 30 deg/s and max gun elevation movements up to 6 deg/s with precise turret rotation speeds up to 0.01 deg/s and precise gun elevation speeds up to 0.03 deg/s with a stabilisation moment of 1500 Nm and stiffness of 600 Nm/mil, up to 4000m with a max firing range up to 6000m and an accuracy under under 0.4 MRAD at 2000m at full value and under 0.2 MRAD against half values. WZ122R digitally assisted electromechanical autoloader. Commander's Override system with independent panoramic hunter killer sight utilising horizontal turret traverse.

(A model adds ISFCS-212B high end fully digital FCS with a BCLA-212B 32x bit digital ballistic computer and TSFC-123 2× axis fully digital electromechanical stabilisation enabling an under 1 MRAD hit rate, at speeds of 50 kph vs targets moving at 50 kph with max turret rotation speeds up to 40 deg/s and and max gun elevation movements up to 9 deg/s with precise turret rotation speeds up to 0.01 deg/s and precise gun elevation speeds up to 0.01 deg/s with a stabilisation moment of 2000 Nm and stiffness of 1000 Nm/mil, up to 5000m with a max firing range up to 8000m and an accuracy under under 0.4 MRAD at 2000m at full value and under 0.2 MRAD against half values)

Targeting Systems: BS338 multi-channel Fully stabilised digitally assisted GPS with a day time telescopic optical sight with max day time detection of tank sized targets up to 6000m and day time identification range up to 5000m with a fully stabilised night sight with a 3rd generation image intensifier enabling passive detection of tank sized targets up to 2000m in moonlight and 650m in starlight with 1200m passive identification in moonlight and 400m in starlight with active detection up 3000m and active identification up to 2000m with an integrated fully stabilised Nd:YAG laser rangefinder with max engagement ranges up to 10,000m. Panoramic multi-channel CPS utilising 2nd generation image intensifiers with passive detection of tank sized targets up to 600m and passive identification up to 300m with a telescopic optical sight enabling day time detection of tank sized targets up to 900m and day time identification range up to 600m.

(A model adds TCPN-2 2nd Generation FLIR for GPS with a 640×480 FPA microbolometer with a 640×480p thermal image resolution FPA enabling NFOV detection of tank sized targets up to 5000m and NFOV identification up to 2000m)

Command & Control Systems: TCR-96 3rd Generation digital radio with a communication range up to 35 km stationery and 20 km moving. Electromechanical gyrocompass. Digital intercom.

(A model adds CCI digital display utilising IBMS C2IS suite linked to the PLASSF C2 network with squad to section level blue force tracking software, moving map display, precision targeting, data sharing and basic C2 software with BeiDou-1 Global navigation satellite system with a max accuracy of 50cm and average accuracy of <4m and Digital INS)

Weapons Systems: ZPT-98 2nd Generation 125mm smoothbore gun and GP125 2nd Generation GLATGM. Type 86 7.62x 54mmR coaxial. QJC-88 12.7×108mm Anti Aircraft Gun.

DTW-125 3+ Generation Sabot utilising full alloy tungsten APFSDS with a 540mm sabot size utilising a 4 kg sabot with a muzzle velocity of 1730 m/s and a muzzle energy of 7 m/j with 500-600mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° and 200-230mm pen at 60° at 2 km with an effective firing range up to 2000m.

DTP-125 2nd Generation HEAT utilising Tandem shaped HEAT-FS with 600-900mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° with an effective firing range up to 2000m

GP6 3rd Generation ATGM utilising a tandem shaped laser beam riding SACLOS GLATGM with 700-900mm of pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° with an effective firing range up to 3000m

DTB-125 Anti Personnel Canister with over 2000 tungsten flechettes with an effective firing range up to 700m and a max firing range up to 1500m.

DTD-125 HE-FRAG-FS with an explosive filling creating over 2000 fragments enabling 200-300mm of pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0°, up to 300mm of penetration of reinforced concrete with a blast area of 1200-1600m² with an effective firing range up to 2000m with a max firing range up to 4000m.

(A model adds an improved ZPT-98 that uses.)

DTW-125-II 4th Generation full alloy tungsten APFSDS with a 640mm sabot size utilising a 7 kg sabot with a muzzle velocity of 1740 m/s and a muzzle energy of 8 m/j with 700-900mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° and 300-360mm pen at 60° at 2000m with an effective firing range up to 3000m

DTP10-125 3rd Generation HEAT utilising triple charge HEAT-FS with 900-1200mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° with an effective firing range up to 3000m

GP6A 3rd Generation ATGM utilising a tandem shaped laser beam riding SACLOS GLATGM with 900-1000mm of pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° with an effective firing range up to 5000m

DTB12-125 Anti Personnel Canister with over 4000 tungsten flechettes with an effective firing range up to 1000m and a max firing range up to 2000m.

DTD10-125 HE-FRAG-FS with an explosive filling creating over 2000 fragments enabling 300-400mm of pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0°, up to 300mm of penetration of reinforced concrete with a blast area of 1700-2000m² with an effective firing range up to 3000m with a max firing range up to 5000m.

Ammo Storage: 22x tank rounds in autoloader with 23x stowed in hull. 2000× 7.62x54mm rounds. 500× 12.7×108mm rounds.

Armour: 2nd generation composite armour

Turret cheeks 600-900mm vs HEAT at 0° and 500-700mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull front 600-800mm vs HEAT at 0° and 300-500mm Vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull sides 50-100mm Vs HEAT at 0° and 10-50mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

A model adds FY-4 3rd generation composite armour with integrated 2nd Generation ERA

Turret cheeks 1400-1600mm vs HEAT at 0° and 800-1000mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull front 800-1000mm vs HEAT at 0° and 500-700mm Vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull sides 100-300mm Vs HEAT at 0° and 50-100mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Countermeasures: Type 85 Digital automatic explosion suppression system. TDS Digital CBRN protection. 2nd Generation Soft kill APS with 12× smoke dischargers firing laser, infrared and optical obscuring smoke grenades that can create a 25×5m concealment zone in 15 to 20 seconds for a time of 50 to 70 seconds. Spall liners

(A model adds TCS-2 3rd Generation Soft Kill APS with 12× smoke dischargers firing laser, optical and infrared obscuring smoke grenades that can create a 40×10m concealment zone in 4 to 8 seconds for a time of 15 to 30 seconds with 4× LWRs enabling a 360° protection range in azimuth and -3°/+15° protection range in elevation and Type 85A fully digital CBRN and explosion suppression)

Features: 3× man crew. 41 tonnes. Metal rubber-lined dual pin tracks.

Engine and Transmission: 12V150ZLC 730 hp diesel engine with a torsion bar suspension and manual transmission.

Capabilities: Turret Rotation speeds of 40 deg/s . Gun Elevation of -4° to +14° with a speed of 10 deg/s. Range of 400 km. Top Speed of 61 kph with reverse speed of 10 kph. Fire rate of 1x every 6-15 seconds. Pivot speed of 9s on road and 14s on dirt.

Type 96A

Type 99

Prototype: 2001

Production: 2003

Service: 2006

Generation: 3.5

Combat Rank: D

Cost: $2m

Number Made: 1000+

Type 99A

Prototype: 2013

Production: 2015

Service: 2019

Generation: 4th

Combat Rank: D

Cost: $4m

Number Made: 1000+

Fire Control: Type 45 high end fully digital FCS with a YMA-45 32x bit digital ballistic computer and TSFC-123 2× axis fully digital electromechanical stabilisation enabling an under 1 MRAD hit rate, at speeds of 50 kph vs targets moving at 50 kph with max turret rotation speeds up to 40 deg/s and and max gun elevation movements up to 9 deg/s with precise turret rotation speeds up to 0.01 deg/s and precise gun elevation speeds up to 0.01 deg/s with a stabilisation moment of 2000 Nm and stiffness of 1000 Nm/mil, up to 5000m with a max firing range up to 8000m and an accuracy under under 0.5 MRAD at 3000m at full value and under 0.2 MRAD against half values. WZ123 fully digital electromechanical autoloader. Commander's Override system with independent panoramic hunter killer sight utilising full turret control and gun takeover.

(A model adds Type 45A low end all digital FCS with a YMA-45A 64x bit digital ballistic computer with TSFC-123B 2× axis fully digital electromechanical stabilisation enabling an under 1 MRAD hit rate, at speeds of 80 kph vs targets moving at 80 kph with full turret rotation speeds of 40 deg/s and gun elevation movements up to 10 deg/s with precise turret rotation speeds up to 0.01 deg/s and precise gun elevation speeds up to 0.001 deg/s with a stabilisation moment of 2000 Nm and stiffness of 1000 Nm/mil, up to 7000m with a max firing range up to 10,000m and an accuracy under under 0.2 MRAD at 4000m at full value and under 0.1 MRAD against half values.)

Targeting Systems: TCPN-99 Fully stabilised multi-channel Fully digital GPS and a panoramic CITV utilising 2nd generation FLIR with a 288x4 matrix format and a 768×576p thermal image resolution enabling a NFOV detection of tank sized targets up to 10,000m and NFOV identification up to 3000m with a day time FHD EOTS with day time detection of tank sized targets up to 10,000m with a 7000m day time identification range and a Fully stabilised integrated Nd:YAG auto adjusting eye safe laser rangefinder with max engagement range up to 10,000m.

(A model adds ST-16 AESA mmWave fire control radar with a track range up to 50 km and tracking of over 40 ground targets, TCPN-99A Fully stabilised multi-channel Fully digital GPS and CITV with 3rd Generation FLIR with automatic target tracking with an SF6 matrix and 1280x1024 format with a 1280×1024p thermal image resolution enabling NFOV detection of tank sized targets up to 20,000m and WFOV identification up to 5000m with an automatic target tracking range up to 10,000m with a day time UHD EOTS with day time detection of tank sized targets up to 12,000m with a 8000m day time identification range with a Fully stabilised integrated Nd:YAG auto adjusting eye safe laser rangefinder with max engagement range up to 15,000m)

Command & Control Systems: TCR-99 4th Generation fully digital radio and C3I communication and C2 system with a communication range up to 70 km stationery and 40 km moving linked to the PLASSF C3I communication network with integrated FHSS utilising up to 1000 frequency hops per second. C4 system with a digital display utilising IBMS C2IS suite linked to the PLASSF C2 network with section level blue force tracking software, moving map display, precision targeting, data sharing and basic C2 software with BeiDou-2 Global navigation satellite system with a max accuracy of 10cm and average accuracy of <50cm. Drivers integrated vehicle management system.

(A model adds TCR-99B 5th Generation all digital radio with SATCOMS and a C3I communication and C2 system with a communication range up to 70 km stationery and 40 km moving linked to the PLAISF C3I communication network with integrated FHSS utilising up to 20,000 frequency hops per second, C2ISR suite linked to the PLAISF C4I blue force tracking network with platoon company level blue force tracking software, surrounding land formation intelligence, digital navigation, moving map display, precision targeting, integrated vehicle health management software, reconnaissance software, data sharing and C2 software with BeiDou-3 Global navigation satellite system with a max accuracy of 10mm and average accuracy of <10cm)

Weapons Systems: ZPT-98A 2nd Generation 125mm smoothbore gun with the GP125 2nd Generation GLATGM. Type 86 7.62x 54mmR coaxial. QJC-88 12.7×108mm Anti Aircraft Gun.

DTW-125-II 4+ Generation Sabot full alloy tungsten APFSDS with a 640mm sabot size utilising a 7 kg sabot with a muzzle velocity of 1740 m/s and a muzzle energy of 8 m/j with 700-900mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° and 300-360mm pen at 60° at 2 km with an effective firing range up to 3000m

DTP10-125 3rd Generation HEAT utilising triple charge HEAT-FS with 900-1200mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° with an effective firing range up to 3000m

GP6A 3rd Generation ATGM utilising a tandem shaped laser beam riding SACLOS GLATGM with 900-1000mm of pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° with an effective firing range up to 5000m

DTB12-125 Anti Personnel Canister with over 4000 tungsten flechettes with an effective firing range up to 1000m and a max firing range up to 2000m.

DTD10-125 HE-FRAG-FS with an explosive filling creating over 2000 fragments enabling 300-400mm of pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0°, up to 300mm of penetration of reinforced concrete with a blast area of 1700-2000m² with an effective firing range up to 3000m with a max firing range up to 5000m.

A model adds

DTC10-125 5th Generation Sabot with full alloy heat treated tungsten APFSDS with a 665mm sabot size utilising a 9 kg sabot with a muzzle velocity of 1760 m/s and a muzzle energy of 15 m/j with 1000-1200mm pen of RHAe with a BHN of 100-300 at 0° and 610-770mm pen at 60° at 2 km with an effective firing range up to 3000m.

Ammo Storage: 22x tank rounds in autoloader with 23x tank rounds and 6x GLATGMs stowed. 2000x 7.62×54mm rounds. 500x 12.7×108mm rounds.

Armour: FY-4A 3rd generation composite armour with integrated 2nd Generation ERA

Turret cheeks 1200-1600mm vs HEAT at 0° and 800-1000mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull front 900-1200mm vs HEAT at 0° and 500-700mm Vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull sides 300-500mm Vs HEAT at 0° and 100-200mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

A model adds FY-5 4th Generation Composite Armour with integrated 3rd Generation ERA

Turret cheeks 1700-2000mm vs HEAT at 0° and 1000-1200mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull front 1200-1500mm vs HEAT at 0° and 700-900mm Vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Hull sides 400-600mm Vs HEAT at 0° and 200-300mm vs APFSDS at 0° RHAe with a BHN of 100-300

Countermeasures: Type 85A digital automatic explosion suppression system. TDS-2 Fully Digital CBRN protection. JD-3 3rd Generation Soft Kill APS with 12× smoke dischargers firing laser, optical and infrared obscuring smoke grenades that can create a 40×10m concealment zone in 4 to 8 seconds for a time of 15 to 30 seconds with 4× LWRs enabling a 360° protection range in azimuth and -3°/+15° protection range in elevation. GL-5A 2nd Generation Hard Kill APS with 4× Pulse doppler MAW sensors with a 300° protection range in azimuth and -6°/+20° protection range in elevation with a projectile detection range up to 30 km and target engagement range up to 50m with max target velocity up to 700 m/s with 4× APS rounds. Spall liners. Steel Anti deflagration autoloader.

(A model adds JD-4 4th Generation Soft Kill APS with 4× LWRs and 2× RWRs with a 360° protection range in azimuth and -5°/+35 with 8× smoke dischargers firing laser, optical and infrared obscuring smoke grenades that can create a 40×10m concealment zone in 4 to 8 seconds for a time of 15 to 30 seconds and GL-6 3rd Generation Hard Kill APS with 4× AESA MAW sensors and 4× EO sensors with a 360° protection range in azimuth and -6°/+90° protection range in elevation with a projectile detection range up to 30 km and target engagement range up to 100m with max target velocity up to 700 m/s with 12× APS rounds)

Features: 3× man crew. 50 tonnes. Metal rubber-lined dual pin tracks. Fully Amphibious. Power to weight ratio of 24 hp per tonne. 2nd Generation DITV.

Engine and Transmission: HP120 1200 hp turbocharged diesel engine with a torsion bar suspension and CH1000 automatic transmission.

(A model adds HP150 1500 hp DECU turbocharged diesel engine and CH1000B2 digitally assisted automatic transmission with an electronic throttle control driving controls)

Capabilities: Turret Rotation speeds of 45 deg/s. Gun Elevation of -8° to +20° with a speed of 12 deg/s. Range of 500 km. Top Speed of 80 kph with reverse speed of 30 kph. Fire rate of 1x every 6-13 seconds. Pivot speed of 6s on road and 9s on dirt.

(A model improves reverse speed to 35 kph)

type 99