Basic Information

Name

ZTZ-96B (Type 96B) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

ZTZ-96B

Alternate Designation

ZTZ-96B; Type 96B

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

NORINCO

Date of Introduction

2016

Description

The ZTZ-96B (Type 96B) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) is the latest version of the Type 96 Tank and made its first public debut at the 2016 Tank Biathlon. Developed by Norinco, an estimated 5 to 7 had been built and were seen being moved to the event by a freight train. On August 15th, the front left road wheel came off the vehicle whilst in motion at the Biathlon. The Type 96B Tank's main upgrade has been the engine. Reports from varying high-ranked Chinese Officers in the media have always highlighted the need for a bigger engine in the Type 96 Tank and it's believed a new 1200hp diesel engine has been installed. This would explain the removal of the old twin circular exhausts and housing on the right side of the hull. The rear of the hull has also been modified and appears flat with a circular exhaust on either side of the air vents. The increase in horsepower will give the Type 96B Tank an increased power-to-weight ratio, improving its acceleration and hill-climbing abilities.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine Diesel (1200 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Variants

Type 96 (ZTZ-96) The Type 96 Main Battle Tank (MBT) was developed from the Type 85-III, which was mainly aimed at the export market. The Type 96 has some minor modifications. Sometimes it is referred to as the the Type 88C or ZTZ96. It entered service with the Chinese army in 1997. It replaced in production the previous Type 88 MBT.

Type 96A (ZTZ-96A) The Type 96A was an upgrade of the Type 96 that entered service in 2006, it reflects the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on the Type 99. The vehicle described below is offered for export in the format described below with the designation of VT2.

Type 96B (ZTZ-96B) The Type 96B is the latest iteration of the Type 96 family. It is a second-generation MBT with improved suspension and mission systems over the earlier Type 96A. The Type 96B is intended to replace the Type 96 and some Type 96As in PLA service via an upgrade program.

VT-2 The export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition. Can be equipped with Remote Weapons Station and has a maximum speed of 70 km/h (on-road). Capable of turning on its own axis.

VT2B At the 2017 armor and anti-armor day held by Norinco for export customers, a platform named VT2B was displayed. No details of the platform were made available at the time, but it may carry the improved weaponry and power pack of more recent Chinese tank developments.

GCZ-112 The GCZ-112 is a combat engineering vehicle based on the Type 96. It is equipped with the necessary tools to construct earthworks and clear obstacles for advancing armored formations. It shares the Type 96’s running gear and basic hull to facilitate maintenance and maneuvers.

System

Alternative Designation ZTZ-96B; Type 96B

Type Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer NORINCO

Family Type 96 Main Battle Tank Family

Crew 3 ea

Note The Type 96B can be distinguished between the Type 96A by the exhausts which are situated to the rear of the vehicle instead of the right under the turret.

Dimensions

Length (Hull ) 6.33 m

Length (Gun Forward) 10.65 m

Width 3.45 m

Height 2.30 m

Weight, Combat 41.5 tons

Ground Pressure 0.77 kg/m

Automotive

Engine Name INA

Engine Type Liquid-cooled diesel

Engine Power 1,200 hp

Additional Fuel Capable Yes, 400 Liters

Cruising Range 400 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Maximum Off Road 45 km/h

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

0 to 60 Time 18 seconds

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.8 m

Trench 2.7 m

Fording (Without Preparation) 1.4 m

Fording (With Preparation) 5.0 m

Suspension Torsion Bar

Communications

TBR-121

VHF Transceiver Yes

VHF Range 1 to 50 km

Proliferated Widely

Digital Data Yes, Full

Control Self-Adaptive Control (Including Automatic Antenna Tuner)

Frequency Agile Yes

Wireless Network Capabilities Yes

Note: Very similar in capabilities to the US SINCGARS ASIP

Main Weapon System

System

Name 1 x L50 ZPT-98

Type Smoothbore Gun

Caliber 125 mm

Length (Barrel) 6,000 mm

Barrel Type 1 with a sliding gun barrel and a smoke evacuator in the middle

Thermal Sleeve Yes, Light Alloy

Bore Evacuator Yes

Loader Type Carousel auto-loader and Manual Loading capable

Launch Mode Single Shot

Barrel Life 800 rounds

Max Rate of Fire (Automatic Loading) 8 rds/min

Max Rate of Fire (Manual Loading) 1-4 rds/min

Recoil Hydraulic and pneumatic

Note The L50 ZPT-98 can replce the barrel without removing the turret

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name 3VOF22

Type High Explosives (HE)

Caliber 125 mm

Purpose High explosive fragmentation fin stabilized. General purpose rounds, for use against infantry, bunkers and light vehicles and other "soft" targets.

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Maximum Effective Range 4,000 m

Minimum Effective Range INA m

Max Dispersion 0.23 mrad

Tungsten Rods 450 ea

Charge A-IX-2 (73% RDX, 23% aluminium powder, phlegmatized with 4% wax) 3.0 kg

Round Weight 33 kg

Projectile Weight 23 kg

Fragments 2,500 ea

Armor Penetration Yes

Basic Load 42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 2)

Name 3VBK27/3BK31 "Start"

Type High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 915 m/s

Max Dispersion INA

Maximum Effective Range 3,000 m

Charge INA

Charge Weight 1.62 kg

Projectile Weight 18.4 kg

Fragments INA

Armor Penetration Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT

Basic Load 42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 3)

Name 3VBM/3BM69 "Vacuum-1

Type Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) Rounds.

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 2,050 m/s

Projectile Dimension 900 mm

Maximum Effective Range 3,000 m

Penetration at 2km 700 mm

Round Weight INA

Projectile Weight (Estimated) 11 kg

Armor Penetration 1,000 mm

Basic Load 42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles

Note Entered service in 2005 Utilising a new sabot. Reported to be uranium alloy. For 2A82/2A82-1M cannon on T-80UM-2/T-14s.

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 1 x QJG-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Manufacturer INA

Length (Total) 2,119 mm

Length (Barrel) 1,003 mm

Weight (Gun Only) 18.5 kg

Weight (Tripod) 17.5 kg

Action Gas Operated

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Max Rate of Fire 400-600 rds/min

Effective Range (vs. Air) 1,500 m

Effective Range (vs. Ground) 2,000 m

Feed System Belt fed, 50 rounds

Sights Iron/Optical

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7 mm

Cartridge 12.7x108mm

Basic Load 500 ea

Fire Control

Name Updated FCS compared to the Type 96A. No Name

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Yes

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes

Target Identification to Shot Time 6 seconds

Night Sight Maximum Distance 1,200 m

Main Gun Stabilization Dual axis gun stabilisation

Periscopes 3 ea

Rangefinder Laser

Sights, Maximum Distance (Day) 5,000 m

Sights, Maximum Distance (Night) 1,200 m

Ballistic Computer Yes

Step Motor Driver Yes

Crosswind Velocity Sensor Yes

Weather Sensor Yes, located at the back of the turret

Note The Type 96 is unable to perform hunter-killer engagements

Protection

Hull Armor (vs. HEAT Rounds) 1,100mm of RHAe

Hull Armor (vs. Kinetic Rounds) 650mm RHAe

Turret Armor 700-750mm RHAe

Applique Armor Available, Track Skirts

Explosive Reactive Armor FY4 Type ERA (New Update from Type 96A)

NBC Protection Yes

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing Roller-plow available

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

Smoke Equipment Grenade launcher 12x; VESS

IR Signature INA

Grenades 6 x 76mm grenades are equipped on each side of the turret

Automatic Fire Suppression System Yes

Image Sources

Notes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_96_tank; https://nationalinterest.org/feature/china%E2%80%99s-hybrid-war-against-india-could-foment-unrest-kashmir-179895; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TankBiathlon2016Final-11.jpg;