Basic Information

Name

ZBD-05 (VN-18) Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Designation

ZBD-05

Alternate Designation

ZBD-05; VN-18; Type 05; ZBD-2000; TD-05; PLZ-07B

Equipment Type

Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Manufacturer

NORINCO

Date of Introduction

2006

Description

The ZBD-05 (VN-18) is a Type 05 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle developed by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army. The Type 05 family is a collection of amphibious AFVs in service with China. The vehicles are designed to provide mobility comparable to an MBT on land as well as an amphibious function that performs much better than the average amphibious vehicle. The platforms are used by elements of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as well as the PLA Navy (PLAN) to defend China’s coast and provide a capable military force that can rapidly respond to defense situations on the many islands that are close to China’s coast. The family includes ZBD-05 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle and ZTD-05 amphibious tank (assault gun) as well as several other variants including command vehicle and recovery vehicle. The vehicle could be launched at sea, from an amphibious assault ship over the horizon. It features a hydroplane, and a design concept that has been compared to the US canceled Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Tracked

Engine Four-stroke turbocharged water-cooled diesel

Active Protection Yes

NBC Protection Yes

Range 500.0 km

Variants

ZTD-05 The ZTD-05 is a fire support vehicle based on the Type 05 hull. It is designed to have the same mobility and protection as the ZBD-05 however it is armed with a large-calibre direct-fire gun. It is designed to provide overwhelming fire support for ZBD-05 formations against embedded infantry and heavily armoured vehicles.

PLZ-07B The PLZ-07B is an SPH designed for the Chinese Marine Corps. It is based on the Type 05 hull and uses the weapon system from the PLZ-07, which is based on a different hull. The vehicle is designed to have the same mobility and protection as the ZBD-05, however, it is equipped with a large-calibre howitzer and attendant FCS so that it can provide organic indirect fire support for ZBD-05 formations.

Type 001 The Type 001 is an APC based on the Type 05 hull. It is believed that the Type 001 is more likely to be found in service with the amphibious elements of the PLA rather than the Marine Corps, as it has been shown on exercises with the 74th Army Group. It is designed to perform as an APC and is capable of carrying a section of equipped infantry into combat alongside other Type 005 variants. The Type 001 has essentially the same layout and structure as the ZBD-05. However, the two-person turret is removed and replaced with a protected weapon station. The weapon station is the common weapon station used by PLA forces. The bottom of the armour shield is the shape of an inverted cone and the top of the shield is vertical and fitted with viewing panes. In the middle of the shield there is an opening for an MG. The Type 001 is armed with a single 12.7 mm MG, which is operated by a crew member from the protected weapon station.

Anti-Tank Missile Carrier On 27 April 2025, photographs of a new Chinese amphibious anti-armor missile system conducting road movement and waterborne trials was observed on social media. The newly observed system utilizes an amphibious tracked chassis, identified in initial sightings as the Type-05 vehicle variant, while subsequent news reports specified it to be the related ZTD-05 amphibious assault gun chassis. Mounted on this platform are dual launchers carrying a total of 12 Hongjian-10 (HJ-10) anti-tank guided missiles. The HJ-10, often compared to the U.S.-made Javelin, employs a top-attack trajectory. Traditionally, these missiles were deployed on the lighter ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle chassis, forming the AFT-10 missile carrier. This latest variant leverages the heavier ZTD/ZBD-05 series platform, developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco), which offers thicker armor and superior water mobility compared to the ZBD-04A. Chinese military analysts suggest that adopting the ZTD -05 chassis enhances the system's survivability and strike capability during the critical near-shore landing phase of operations. The ZTD-05 variant is specifically designed for amphibious assaults, allowing it to traverse maritime areas and deploy ground forces directly onto enemy shores. Its development is viewed as part of China's broader effort to build power projection capabilities, particularly for potential conflicts involving scenarios such as Taiwan. The capacity to carry 12 HJ-10 missiles allows for saturation attacks against armored formations or fortified positions, posing a substantial threat and representing a significant increase compared to typical anti-tank vehicles carrying fewer missiles.

System

Alternative Designation ZBD-05; VN-18; Type 05; ZBD-2000; TD-05; PLZ-07B

Type Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Estimated out of Service Date 2055

Manufacturer Norinco

Family Type 05

Crew 3 ea

Troop Compartment Capacity 11 ea

Maximum Effective Range 500 km

Note The ZBD-05 (VN-18) Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) has 2 x Four-pod 107 mm Obstacle Clearance Rocket tubes (to breach walls and similar structures).

Dimensions

Length 9.5 m

Width 3.36 m

Height 3.04 m

Weight, Combat 26.5 tons

Ground Pressure INA

Automotive

Engine Name INA

Engine Type Four-stroke turbocharged water-cooled diesel

Engine Power (Land) 500 hp

Engine Power (Sea) 1,577 hp

Transmission Machanical

Cruising Range (Land) 500 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 40 km/h

Speed, Maximum Swim 25 km/h

Tracks Racks are supported by two return rollers located between the first and last pairs of road wheels.

Suspension Hydropneumatic

Wheels 6, unevenly-spaced road wheels per side

Gradient 60 %

Vertical Obstacle 0.6 m

Trench 2.9 m

Fording Depth Amphibious

Sea State Capable Sea State 4

Buoyancy Reserve Yes

Communications

Blue Force Tracker Yes

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 Gun

Turret Type 2 x Person

System

Alternate Designation 1 x Shipunov 2A42

Type Autocannon

Caliber 30 mm

Length, Total 3.027 m

Length, Barrel 2,416 mm

Weight 115 kg

Action Gas Operated

Barrels 1 ea

Rate of Fire (Low) 200-300 rds/min

Rate of Fire (High) 550-800 rds/min

Elevation INA

Traverse 360 deg

Feed System Twin Feed

Cage Cooling Sleeve Yes

Ammunition (Option 1)

Type Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer(APFSDS-T)

Caliber 30 mm

Muzzle Velocity 1,275 m/s

Basic Load 125 rds

Maximum Effective Range 2,800 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Round Mass (Nominal) 675 g

Projectile Mass (Nominal) 220 g

Round Length 280 mm

Cartridge Case Steel

Primer Percussion cap

Penetration at 1,000 >45mm RHA steel at 60° obliquity

Dispersion 0.45 Mils

Operational temperature -32°C to +62°C

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type High Explosive Incendiary

USSR Designation UOF-84

Caliber 30 mm

Description Shell filled with 48,5g HEI, with A-670M fuze

Muzzle Velocity 960 m/s

Max Range 5,000 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Weight, Bullet 0.39 kg

Basic Load 225 ea

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Note 1 x 7.65mm General-Purpose Machine Gun

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

ATGM Type HJ-73 Red Arrow Anti-Tank Missile System

HJ-73 Red Arrow ATGM (Option 1)

Name Red Arrow 73B

Type Anti-Tank Missile System

Muzzle Velocity 120 m/s

Maximum Range 2,800 m

Warhead Type Tandem-HEAT

Hit Probability 90 %

Penetration Probability 80 %

Penetration 200 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA

HJ-73 Red Arrow ATGM (Option 2)

Name Red Arrow 73D

Type Anti-Tank Missile System

Muzzle Velocity 130 m/s

Maximum Range 2,800 m

Warhead Type Tandem-Heat

Hit Probability 90 %

Penetration Probability 80 %

Penetration 280 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA

HJ-73 Red Arrow ATGM (Option 3)

Name Red Arrow 73E

Type Anti-Tank Missile System

Muzzle Velocity 135 m/s

Maximum Range 3,000 m

Warhead Type Tandem-HEAT

Hit Probability 90 %

Penetration Probability 80 %

Penetration 300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA

HJ-73 Red Arrow ATGM (Option 4)

Name Red Arrow 73F

Type Anti-Tank Missile System (Bunker Buster)

Muzzle Velocity 130 m/s

Maximum Range 2,800 m

Warhead Type Fuel Air Explosive Warhead

Hit Probability 90 %

Penetration Probability 80 %

Penetration 300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA

Fire Control

Battle Management System Yes, fitted with the PLA’s version of a generic vehicle architecture (GVA) Battle Management System (BMS). The BMS provides the commander with a 3D map; this can be used to designate assault routes and targets, which are then distributed via data burst to other vehicles.

Computerized FCS Yes, the turret includes an FCS that accounts for the speed of the vehicle and distance to the target to provide ballistic solutions for the main gun.

Optics The commander and gunner are both provided with sights, but it is unclear if either of the sights are panoramic. They are protected by armored screens and the gunner’s sight includes a control channel for the HJ-73 missile system. Both commander and gunner also have a number of periscopes to improve situational awareness. From imagery, however, it appears that there are no periscopes facing the rear of the platform and it is unclear if a TV camera system is fitted to account for this shortfall.

Thermal (Vehicle Commander) Yes

Thermal (Gunner) Yes

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

3D Map Display Yes, Standard

Satellite Navigation System BeiDou Satellite, which also integrates with the vehicle’s digital radios to provide blue force tracking.

Laser Range Finder Yes

Protection

Hull Armor The hull of the ZBD-05 is built from welded aluminum to which a modular spaced armor is added, assessed to be composite appliqué armor. At the front of the hull, the bow blade is placed along the glacis and belly plate to provide additional protection from ballistic threats. It is also possible that the front of the hull is used to house a self-sealing fuel tank, which is a method also used on the BMP-3.

Hull Armor 30 mm

Sides and Rear Armor 14.5 mm

Turret Armor INA

Applique Armor Yes

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System Yes

Mine Clearing Yes, Track width mine plough

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Yes, 8 Total, 4 on each side 76mm

Bow Blade Yes, the bow blade at the front is easily recognizable and is assessed to provide an increase in speed during water crossings.

Belly Plate Yes

Self-Sealing Fuel Tank Yes, capable of stopping a 25 mm APFSDS round at 2,000 m.

Automatic Fire Suppression Device. Yes

Lane Marking System Lane marking system

Image Sources

Notes https://en.topwar.ru/163125-kitayskaya-morskaya-pehota-shansy-v-protivostoyanii-s-amerikanskimi-kollegami.html; https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_light_armored_armoured_vehicle_uk/zbd-05_vn-18_zbd2000_amphibious_ifv_armoured_infantry_fighting_vehicle_data.html; http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=467642;